Collaboration Between Nurses and Dentists in Promoting Oral Health

Abstract

Oral health is a critical determinant of overall systemic health, yet a significant gap persists between medical and dental care delivery. The siloed nature of these professions often leads to fragmented patient care, particularly problematic given the established bidirectional relationship between oral diseases like periodontitis and systemic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review aims to synthesize the current evidence on interprofessional collaboration between nurses and dentists, examining its impact on patient outcomes, identifying effective models, and delineating the barriers and facilitators to its implementation. The evidence demonstrates that nurses play a vital role in oral health education, systematic screening, and the implementation of preventive measures (e.g., fluoride varnish application). Dentists contribute to holistic care by screening for systemic conditions, managing oral manifestations of disease, and promoting overall wellness. Effective collaboration between these professions leads to significantly improved patient outcomes, including enhanced glycemic control in diabetics, a reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia (by up to 60%) and aspiration pneumonia (by approximately 40%), and a decreased incidence of early childhood caries (by 30-50%). Major barriers to collaboration include a lack of interprofessional education, disconnected healthcare systems and electronic records, professional territorialism, and non-aligned reimbursement structures. A robust body of evidence confirms that nurse-dentist collaboration is an effective, evidence-based model for improving oral and systemic health outcomes. Overcoming existing barriers through integrated education, systemic reforms, and policy changes is essential to translating this successful partnership into standard clinical practice, thereby advancing comprehensive, patient-centered care.