# Scaling medical-dental integration nationally: outcomes from the MORE Care initiative

## TL;DR

The MORE Care initiative successfully integrates oral health into primary care, improving access and preventive services for children in Ohio.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the scalability of a medical-dental integration model beyond rural settings using a performance-based payment approach.

## Key findings

- Implementation of MORE Care in Ohio led to increased preventive oral health services and referrals.
- The model proved adaptable to private medical practices, showing promise for broader adoption.
- Challenges in health IT and data sharing were identified as barriers requiring infrastructure and policy support.

## Abstract

Oral health is siloed from broader healthcare systems, contributing to disparities in care. MORE Care™, a Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) model originally launched to address access challenges in rural community health centers and offers a scalable approach to embedding oral health into primary care. This study evaluates its implementation in Ohio, where a two-year pilot engaged nearly 20,000 children across six counties. The program integrated oral health assessments, fluoride varnish, and referral systems into private medical practices, supported by a performance-based payment model. Results showed increases in preventive oral health services and referrals, demonstrating the model's adaptability beyond rural settings. However, challenges in health IT and data sharing highlight the need for continued investment in infrastructure and policy to support whole-person care.