Read how the COVID-19 Pandemic Put PDA’s values to early and continual test in our 2020 Benefit Company Report
New Study Finds that Integrating Medical Care into Dental Offices Helps Seniors Access Needed Care
In an ongoing collaboration between Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR) and Permanente Dental Associates’ Dr. Dan Pihlstrom, a study recently published in the Journal of
American Dental Association (JADA) found that patients 65 and older who had a dental visit at a dental office offering some medical services were 1.5 times more likely to have their medical care gaps closed (preventive and disease management medical care) compared to a similar population who had dental care at a non-Medical-Dental Integrated (MDI) setting.
“This is the first study publication that specifically calls out care gap closure,” says Dr. Pihlstrom. “This contributes to the body of evidence, building a stronger case for MDI.”
Previous publications have studied the potential for improvement of overall health associated with receiving dental care where dentists have access to a patient’s electronic health record and care history, acting as another touchpoint in an integrated health care system reminding patients of overdue preventive or disease management care.
Don’t Delay Care — Even Now
Pediatric Dentist Dr. Kat Lane comments on the importance of proactive care and consistency around helping kids establish and continue healthy oral health habits.