#  Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine 

 



##  Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine 

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine brings together academics, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to explore innovative approaches to integrating oral health with primary care. This initiative drives research, policy development, and educational efforts to advance the interconnectedness of oral and systemic health.



 

 

 

      ![Two clinicians talking to a patient sitting in a dental chair.](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2025-01/Initiative-program.jpg?itok=Bux-Aslb) 

 

 



 

 



 

## About the Initiative

The Initiative supports a core academic mission of Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) — the integration of oral health and medicine. Initiative-supported projects pilot innovative models of education, training and clinical practice; measure clinical outcomes; and evaluate financial models to provide the evidence-base required to demonstrate value and affect policy change. The Initiative serves as a hub for innovation and collaboration, focusing on activities such as:

- Conducting cutting-edge **research**.
- Publishing influential **policy statements**.
- Hosting impactful **conferences and seminars**.

By addressing the separation of oral health and primary care, the Initiative aims to transform health care delivery and improve patient outcomes.

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## Objectives

- **Shape public policy**  
    Foster discussions and develop policies to advocate for integrating oral health and primary care, engaging corporate leaders and public officials.
- **Build interdisciplinary connections**  
    Connect Harvard faculty, students, industry leaders, and other institutions to create effective recommendations for oral health integration.
- **Collaborate with partners**  
    Work with national, state, and local organizations to identify strategies that improve oral and systemic health outcomes.
- **Provide scholarly review**  
    Analyze clinical and epidemiological data to inform evidence-based practices linking oral and systemic health.

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## Breaking down barriers between dentistry and medicine

### Funding and impact

With the support of the initiative, HSDM is leading efforts to bridge the gap between oral health and overall health, driving innovation in research, education, and care delivery. Faculty members have secured HRSA grants that advance the goals of medical dental integration:

- **$3.5 million** established a national center to develop oral health competencies for primary care providers.
- **$1.5 million** launched a national center dedicated to improving care coordination for vulnerable older adults.

To strengthen data-driven decision-making, HSDM also created a national data repository and assembled a dedicated data science team.

The School has also conducted a systematic review of existing literature highlighting the cost savings associated with integrating medical and dental benefits and launched a comprehensive review of national claims data to validate survey findings.

On the global stage, HSDM has sponsored and actively contributed to an [International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM)](https://www.ichom.org/) working group in partnership with [FDI World Dental Foundation](https://www.fdiworlddental.org/) to develop a global repository of outcome metrics.

Further advancing interdisciplinary care, HSDM has developed a detailed operations and business plan for an innovative team-based clinical practice and training center. Collaborative efforts have also led to the design of a longitudinal study on healthcare integration and a comprehensive review of oral health literacy and benefits utilization for employees at a major international corporation. Through hosting leadership forums, HSDM continues to foster dialogue and collaboration, driving progress in integrating dentistry and medicine to improve health outcomes for all.

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##  Related news 

 



  [### Mapping dental deserts in the U.S.

 ](/news/mapping-dental-deserts-us) January 14, 2025 

New HSDM research reveals widespread lack of access to care



 

 

   ![Map of dental deserts](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/dental%20deserts%20map_0.jpg?itok=o296YYmz) 

 



 

 

   [### Taking an integrated approach to treating oral health over age 65

 ](/news/2024/12/taking-integrated-approach-treating-oral-health-over-age-65) December 05, 2024 

Experts gathered at HSDM's Leadership Forum to discuss Medicare Advantage plans, challenges in oral health access, and innovative strategies for integrating dental care nationwide.



 

 

   ![Dr. Shenam Ticku, HSDM faculty member, speaking at a podium ](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/Dr.-Tiku-HSD-thumbnail.jpg?itok=dfGCMe14) 

 



 

 

   [### Study finds an expanded dental workforce could lead to better health outcomes for children

 ](/news/study-finds-expanded-dental-workforce-could-lead-better-health-outcomes-children) March 20, 2023 

Expanding the dental workforce through the NHSC could cut childhood tooth decay in underserved areas, improving access, reducing disparities, and saving costs, a *JAMA Health Forum* study finds.



 

 

   ![a young boy receiving dental care](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/youngboyatdentist_web.jpg?itok=nqy3642k) 

 



 

 

   [### American Journal of Public Health Editorial Addresses Inequities in Oral Health Care

 ](/news/american-journal-public-health-editorial-addresses-inequities-oral-health-care) July 06, 2017 

 In a recent American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) editorial, “ Oral Health and Medicine Integration: Overcoming Historical Artifact to Relieve Suffering,” Stephen A. Martin , MD, EdM, assistant professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at the... 

 

 

   ![DrSimon](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/lisa_simon_closeup_web.jpg?itok=j_2qfThI) 

 



 

 

  

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### Resource Library for the Integration of Oral Health and Medicine 

 

The Resource Library for the Integration of Oral Health and Medicine provides a centralized repository of over 400 relevant resources developed by a variety of health care professionals. The library provides evidence-based clinical and non-clinical integration strategies that promote health systems change



 [Visit the library east](https://resourcelibrary.hsdm.harvard.edu/) 

 



      ![Close up of hands on a laptop](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-01/digital-library.jpg?itok=XuFylsT0) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

##  Program director 

 



  [### Lisa Simon

 ](/people/lisa-simon)Assistant Professor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology

Director of the Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine

 

 

Dr. Lisa Simon is an assistant professor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine whose work focuses on oral health access in Medicare and Medicaid and the effects of dental access on health outcomes.



 

 

      ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-01/Lisa_Simon-headshot.jpg?h=1396c9f1&itok=H3rKPkjh) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

##  Leadership and support 

The HSDM Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine brings together a volunteer-driven board of experts from healthcare organizations and Harvard faculty alongside committed supporters from academia, industry, and the health care community. Together, they provide guidance on the Initiative’s direction and champion its mission to advance the integration of oral health and primary care. Members contribute expertise, foster collaboration, and help develop innovative ideas that reflect a core academic priority of Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

 

 



##  Board members 

 



- **Dr. Robert Lewando (Chair of HSDM Initiative)**,   
    E*xecutive Director*  
    Specialty Benefits Professional Programs  
    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- **Dr. Roosevelt Allen**  
    S*enior Vice President and Chief Dental Officer*  
    United Concordia Dental
- **Andrew Bower**  
    Royal Philips  
    *Business Category Leader*  
    Philips Oral Healthcare
- **Rene Gentile**  
    *Senior Director of Strategy*  
    Heartland Dental
- **Claudia de Graaff**   
    *Marketing Manager, Europe*  
    Philips Oral Healthcare
- **Dr. Inyang Isong**  
    *Pediatrician*  
    Children's Hospital Primary Care Center (CHPCC)  
    *Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Part-time*  
    Harvard Medical School
- **Leanne "Jake" Jacobellis**  
    *Program Coordinator*  
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
- **David Kochman**  
    *Vice President Corporate Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff*  
    Henry Schein, Inc.
- **Rachel Nelson**  
    *President at Exan Group*  
    Henry Schein, Inc.
- **Dr. Russell S. Phillips**  
    *Director, HMS Center for Primary Care*  
    *William Applebaum Professor of Medicine*  
    *Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine*  
    Harvard Medical School
- **Dr. Christine A. Riedy**  
    *Delta Dental of Massachusetts Associate Professor in Oral Public Health*   
    *Epidemiology, Director, Oral Health Workforce Innovation and Population Health, Office of Research*  
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
- **Dr. Maria Ryan**  
    *Vice President and Chief Dental Officer*   
    Colgate-Palmolive
- **Dr. Rainer Seemann**  
    *Vice President, Global Clinical Research*  
    *Interim Chief Clinical Officer*  
    Dentsply Sirona
- **Dr. Edward Shellard**  
    *President and CEO*  
    United Concordia Dental
- **Dr. Anna Singh**  
    *Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations*  
    Heartland Dental
- **Stephen E. Thorne, IV**  
    *Founder, President and CEO*  
    PDS Health
- **Dr. Hugh Silk**  
    *Professor, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health*  
    University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School  
    *Lecturer on Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, Part-Time*  
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine  
    *Medical Director*  
    Primary Care Wellness Center/Community Healthlink



 

 

##  Supporters 

 



**Members represent leading Academic and Health Care Organizations:**

- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Colgate Palmolive Co.
- Dentsply Sirona
- Heartland Dental
- Henry Schein, Inc.
- PDS Health
- Philips Oral Healthcare
- United Concordia Companies
- Harvard Medical School
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

*A special thanks to Carequest, Colgate Palmolive Co., Delta Dental of Arizona, and Delta Dental of California for their generous support of the* [*100 Million Mouths Campaign*](/100-million-mouths-campaign "100 Million Mouths Campaign")*.*