The National Council for Mental Wellbeing debuted a toolkit to help dental practices integrate their care with mental health and substance abuse services, the American Dental Association said Nov. 30.
The toolkit was created with input from the ADA and member dentists. The dental group said it was developed in response to a lack of resources dedicated to helping healthcare organizations interested in coordinating their services with mental health and substance abuse help, which could lead to improved patient outcomes.
The resource offers health care providers suggestions, strategies and examples of integrated models that can be executed at practices.
"The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s toolkit highlights that oral health is vital to mental health," said Sean Boynes, DMD, vice president of health improvement at the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and a participant in the development of the toolkit. "I was proud to work on this toolkit because I believe the connection between oral disease and mental health is critical to helping dentists and oral health professionals provide holistic care."