Integrating oral and medical health care

BMC Oral Health is pleased to announce our upcoming Collection, Integrating oral and medical health care. The integration of oral and medical health care is an emerging field that recognizes the interconnectedness of oral health and overall systemic health. Historically, these two domains have been treated separately, leading to fragmented care that can compromise patient outcomes. This Collection aims to explore innovative approaches to integrating these two critical areas of health care, emphasizing the importance of collaborative care models that involve both dental and medical professionals. Advancing our understanding of integrated care is crucial for improving patient outcomes and enhancing the efficiency of health care systems. Important advances in this area include the development of interprofessional education programs, which foster collaboration between dental and medical professionals, and the implementation of integrated care pathways that streamline patient management. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that addressing oral health within primary care settings can lead to better health outcomes and reduced health care costs, underscoring the need for continued research and innovation in this field. We invite submissions that explore various aspects of evidence-based dental research and practice, including but not limited to: Collaborative care models in oral and medical health Interprofessional collaboration in health care Impact of oral health on systemic health Integrated care pathways in primary care settings This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.