Amisha Singh DDS, EdDl

Although all health care fields share a common goal of improving patient health, individual disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, and behavioral health have traditionally developed in isolation due to differences in education, licensing, reimbursement models, physical infrastructure, and more.  As health care professionals, we naturally strive to cultivate our individual professional identities; however, we should always keep in mind that cohesive, coordinated care is invaluable and allows us to elevate patient outcomes and transform the health of communities.

The artificial stop signs that were previously baked into the health care system are disappearing as more schools opt for interprofessional education (IPE) and a curriculum that shows the connection between body systems. Today we stand at the forefront of a transformation that invites everyone across health care disciplines to embrace a more integrated view of our patients, seeing them not as a collection of systems, but as whole, interconnected individuals.

Despite this change in the culture of professional education, it’s unfortunate that many patients still receive dental and medical care in isolation. This disconnect can lead to missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and fragmented management of chronic conditions.  By fostering stronger connections and closer collaboration across disciplines we can create a more patient-centered model of care.

The mouth is not separate from the body; it’s a gateway to systemic health. As dental professionals, we are uniquely positioned to detect early signs of systemic disease and contribute meaningfully to a patient’s overall wellbeing.  Yet, the full potential of this contribution is often unrealized due to fragmented care systems and siloed communication between providers.

The clinical case for collaboration

The evidence linking oral health to systemic conditions is robust and growing. Periodontal disease, for instance, has been associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and even cognitive decline.  Systemic diseases can often manifest in the oral cavity first, providing an opportunity for cross-collaboration, referral, and a path to early diagnosis. For example, diabetes can present as slow wound healing intraorally, coupled with conditions such as candidiasis, xerostomia, and/or periodontal inflammation.  During my time in clinical practice, I’ve had the responsibility and privilege of helping patients understand that they needed to re-engage with their primary care provider based on oral evaluations.

A patient — we’ll call him Harry — comes to mind. Harry had been living with HIV for more than a decade, but due to recent life changes, he had lost access to regular medical care. He came to our office seeking relief from tooth pain, and during the exam, I noticed a persistent oral ulcer that hadn’t healed. Recognizing it as a potential sign of immunosuppression, I referred him for medical evaluation. That referral ultimately led to the discovery that his viral load had significantly increased, an insight that allowed him to re-engage with care and begin managing his condition more effectively. 

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where I was fortunate to have received my dental education, currently includes interprofessional collaboration as a core part of the curriculum.  Early exposure to other medical dependencies has helped me feel confident not only in recognizing when a referral is needed but also in being able to confidently engage with my medical counterparts.

Practical pathways to integration

To truly advance whole-person care, we must embrace practical, cross-disciplinary collaboration that breaks down barriers between fields. Continuing a movement to integrate electronic health records (EHR) between dental and medical practices  enables real-time data sharing, allowing providers to coordinate care more effectively. For example, when a dentist identifies signs of uncontrolled diabetes, they can alert the patient’s primary care provider (PCP) for a timely evaluation. Routine dental visits also offer opportunities for basic health screenings  and appropriate referrals, just as medical providers can flag oral health concerns during physical exams. Embedding dental professionals into primary care settings or bringing medical providers into dental practices through models like patient-centered medical homes or accountable care organizations, has already shown promise in improving outcomes and reducing fragmentation.  

The role of benefits in supporting integration

While clinical collaboration is essential, it must be supported by systems that make it feasible. One often-overlooked enabler is the structure of dental benefits plans. At Delta Dental of Colorado, we recognize that benefits design can either support or hinder whole-person care.

Plans that emphasize and cover preventive services robustly, incentivize regular check-ups, and include coverage for medically necessary dental procedures (such as periodontal treatment for patients with special needs) can encourage patients to seek timely care.  Moreover, benefits that allow for coordination between dental and medical providers can facilitate the kind of collaboration described above.

Though benefits design is not the centerpiece of clinical care, it plays a quiet but powerful role in shaping patient behavior and provider engagement. When aligned with clinical goals, it becomes a lever for better health.

Looking ahead

We have an extraordinary opportunity to reshape the future of health care, not by abandoning our distinct disciplines, but by weaving them together. As health care professionals, we each bring unique expertise to the table. But when we collaborate, when we listen, learn, and lead together, we unlock a deeper potential to heal. The silos that once defined our professions are giving way to bridges built on shared knowledge and a common commitment to our patients. Let’s continue to champion this evolution, not just in policy or education, but in our daily practice and our willingness to reach across disciplinary lines. Together, we can create a health care system that is not only more connected, but more compassionate, more effective, and more human.

About Dr. Singh: Amisha Singh, DDS, EdD, is the dental director for Delta Dental of Colorado (DDCO). She has oversight of the daily operations of DDCO’s clinical management functions including dental processing policies, clinical education to DDCO’s provider network, and mission-driven community engagement. She serves on the Colorado Dental Association (CDA) and American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates, the ADA Dental Wellbeing Advisory Committee, the ADA National Advisory Committee on Health Literacy in Dentistry, the ADA Women in Leadership Thinktank, and on the ADEA HURM Advisory Group.