RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Why Are Family Doctors Still Not Addressing Oral Health?
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP S103
OP S105
DO 10.1370/afm.2929
VO 21
IS Suppl 2
A1 John Romano
A1 Hugh Silk
YR 2023
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/21/Suppl_2/S103.abstract
AB Oral health dramatically affects overall health and vice versa. Oral health is a key health indicator for Healthy People 2030. Yet family physicians are not addressing this important health issue at the same level they address other essential health problems. Studies show that family medicine training and clinical activities are lacking in the area of oral health. The reasons are multi-factorial including insufficient reimbursement, lack of accreditation emphasis, and poor medical-dental communication. There is hope. Robust oral health curricula for family doctors exist and efforts are being made to create primary care oral health education champions. The tide is turning on accountable care organizations adding oral health services, access, and outcomes to their systems. Like behavioral health, oral health can be fully integrated into the care family physicians offer.