Oral-Systemic Health Integration: A Policy Brief on Common Risk Factor Approach and Interdisciplinary Models

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of global mortality, with 63% of deaths in India attributed to these conditions. Periodontal disease (PD), a chronic immune-inflammatory disorder affecting oral health, significantly contributes to the national burden, impacting productivity and healthcare expenditures. Despite the inclusion of oral cancer management in India's National Program for Prevention and Control of NCDs (2023-2030), PD remains overlooked. The lack of resilience in the Indian oral healthcare system exacerbates the challenge, highlighting the need for integrating medical and dental care to improve early detection, prevention, and management of both systemic and oral diseases.Policy and implicationsThe policy includes adopting CRFA for cost-effective disease management, integrating periodontal health assessments into NCD surveillance, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This will facilitate strengthening of medical-dental integration (MDI) through shared financing models, referral systems, and co-located services which in turn can enhance healthcare outcomes and reduce the disease burden in India.RecommendationsAdopting CRFA and Implementing Medical-Dental Integration through:Ø Incorporating periodontal health assessments into NCD surveillance frameworks.Ø Leveraging existing community-based NCD detection tools by adding periodontal health indicators.Ø Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through referral systems, co-located services, and shared financing models.ConclusionNCDs, including periodontal disease, pose a significant health and economic burden in India. Despite PD’s established links with systemic conditions, it remains underrecognized in national health initiatives. The CRFA offers a pragmatic solution by targeting shared risk factors, yet several barriers hinder its implementation. To address this gap, integrating medical and dental care through a structured Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) model is crucial. Policy efforts must prioritize CRFA adoption, embed periodontal assessments in NCD surveillance, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Strengthening these strategies can lead to more effective prevention, early detection, and management of NCDs, ultimately improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs in India.