G-1912-16041

This investment supports the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPCA) to promote medical-dental integration in Illinois with a focus on diabetes, social determinants of health, and community health workers. IPCA has been a long-term partner of DentaQuest through the Strengthening the Oral Health Safety Net initiative and the National Oral Health Innovation and Integration Network and is participating in a newly funded HRSA National Oral Health Integration grant in collaboration with the Michigan, Iowa and Ohio PCAs to improve access to and delivery of comprehensive, quality oral health care for children. IPCA has identified a pressing health concern in Illinois around high rates of diabetes and poor oral health, and will focus their 2020 work on this intersection in alignment with the DentaQuest Partnership’s priority to expand models of medical-dental integration and person-centered care. Their goals are to develop, implement, and spread a bi-directional referral process for diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, including providing trainings for providers, developing education for patients, and installing necessary equipment. They will also work to develop models and advance knowledge around integrating social determinants of health into value-based care. $95,000 will support staff time, travel, mini-grants, and material development.