Behavioral Health and Oral Health Integration (BOHI)
Behavioral health conditions are often associated with other behavioral and social risk factors, such as neglected oral hygiene, malnutrition, high-sugar diets, being unhomed, and sporadic dental appointment patterns, that can lead to worse oral health outcomes.
Conversely, oral health-related conditions can create or exacerbate certain behavioral health conditions.
Behavioral Health Basics for the Dental Office
The Behavioral Health Basics for the Dental Office trainings currently include an overview of connections between behavioral health and oral health, including substance use disorder and suicide prevention, motivational interviewing skills to encourage patient conversations, review of and practice with intake questions, and steps for completing a successful referral and referral follow-up.
Resources to support behaviora health and oral health integration efforts
Video Series: Integrated Health Home
Colorado has been focusing on integration of dental care within other health settings for a number of years. This collaborative project by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Mental Health Partners, Clinica Family Health, and Dental Aid captures best practices in mental-dental-medical integration efforts with a focus on the importance of including oral health in systems integration efforts by creating video footage about the impact of the Implementation Team’s organizations’ integration efforts from the leadership, staff, and the patients they serve.
Interprofessional Collaboration
The Integrated Health Home model featured in these videos highlights how mental health, dental and medical systems can work together to provide care to those who need it the most from a staff member’s perspective.