To address the growing need for oral health, mental health and substance use treatment – and in partnership with Bowling Business Strategies – the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is launching an Oral Health Integration ECHO to expand and scale oral health integration models outlined in our recent toolkit.
All interested mental health and substance use treatment organizations are encouraged to apply! Applications are due by Friday, January 28, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Join our Office Hour session on Tuesday, January 25, from 3-4 p.m. ET, to learn more and hear from subject matter experts.
What is the goal of this ECHO learning collaborative?
The goal of this ECHO is to engage diverse stakeholders and mental health and substance use treatment organizations in an interactive peer-to-peer learning environment geared towards advancing the coordination and integration of oral health, mental health and substance use care while increasing access to care for marginalized populations living with mental health and substance use challenges.
Why focus on the integration of oral health, mental health, and substance use care?
People with mental health and substance use challenges are reported to have reduced access to dental services and poorer oral health outcomes. Meanwhile, dental providers frequently treat patients who have experienced trauma, such as child sexual abuse or domestic violence, which can interfere with the delivery of oral health services, including preventive care. This will be especially true for populations that have been historically challenged by health care disparities and inequities. In addition, the pandemic has exacerbated mental health and substance use challenges as well as barriers to accessing care. Emerging evidence suggests that more coordinated or integrated oral, mental health, and substance use treatment services can increase access to needed care, improve patient outcomes, and potentially reduce health care costs.