Role of Dentistry in Interprofessional Primary Care

Abstract

Each day there is growing evidence surrounding the relationship of oral disease and general health. With increasing recognition of the science describing the nature of associations between oral health and general health, as well as the global acknowledgment of oral disease as one of the most common noncommunicable diseases, global attention of dentistry’s role in primary care and universal health coverage is increasing. As the evidence continues to mount, opportunities to modify existing health care systems and related barriers will elevate policy, programs, training, and the need for public health approaches to transcend existing inflexible health care operations, training, and research. Oral health has a critical role in collaborative actions to improve the health of individuals and communities.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Oral health is an essential component of general health. Including oral health within health systems, processes, and training is critical to the health of individuals and communities.