In 2018, NACDD was awarded funding under DP18-1811 “Partner Actions to Improve Oral Health Outcomes” by CDC’s Division of Oral Health to provide technical assistance to five states working on medical-dental integration projects focusing on diabetes prevention and control, hypertension awareness and early detection, and tobacco use prevention. NACDD will be responsible for developing success stories to document and promote the approaches these states take over the course of the 5-year project period in addition to providing opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and technical assistance. A brief synopsis of what the states will be doing is provided below:

• The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment will implement a Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Oral Health (DCVDOHI) model for medical and dental systems to sustain medical-dental integration interventions for patients with co-morbid conditions.
• The Connecticut Department of Public Health will address diabetes and oral disease risk factors by integrating prediabetes and oral health screening, education, and bi-directional referrals into medical and dental systems in federally qualified health centers.

• The North Dakota Department of Health will use evidence-based and supported strategies to address hypertension in dental office settings and encourage bi-directional referrals between dental and medical health professionals serving low income, rural, American Indian, and underserved populations in the state.

• The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will collaborate with community leaders and partners to increase awareness and facilitate access to services for people with diabetes that have unmet oral health needs.

• The Virginia Department of Health will develop a bi-directional referral system that encourages hypertension screening and counseling, including tobacco cessation counseling, by dental professionals, oral cavity examination by primary care physicians, and active referrals between the two healthcare providers in a safety net setting.

Learn more about NACDD’s Oral Health work.