Examining Opportunities Within the Rural Health Transformation Program to Integrate Oral Health into Primary Diabetes Care
Abstract
Introduction: Oral diseases are among the overlooked complications in people with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing oral diseases; however, evidence shows that U.S. adults with diabetes are less likely to visit a dentist compared with U.S. adults without diabetes. Rural adults face compounded barriers to care. The recently announced Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) under Public Law 119-21 calls for transforming rural health care delivery to improve access to and quality of care. This study utilizes health policy and primary care integration frameworks to analyze potential opportunities within the RHTP to integrate oral health into primary diabetes care. Methods: The health policy triangle framework was used to describe the content, context, process, and actors of the RHTP. The Rainbow Model of Integrated Care (RMIC) was used as an analytic framework to map RHTP funding provisions to its six integration domains. National oral health integration and strategic documents, along with publicly available summaries of state RHTP applications, were reviewed. Results: Mapping of the RHTP funding provisions to the RMIC framework indicates that ten of the eleven allowable uses align with one or more RMIC domains, with functional and normative integration serving as cross-cutting enablers. Integration-relevant initiatives identifiable within the RHTP provisions include facility modifications to support coordinated service delivery; interoperable health information systems that enable coordinated care and patient education; integration of dental services within patient-centered medical homes; provider payment incentives for delivering preventive oral health services; recruitment and retention of dental care providers; and collaboration with regional partners. In addition, rural facilities may leverage the RHTP to expand and modernize care delivery models, including teledentistry and mobile dental clinics. Conclusion: The RHTP presents multiple opportunities to integrate oral health care into primary diabetes care.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 2:30 PM
Room Number
304
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Nathan Hale
Examining Opportunities Within the Rural Health Transformation Program to Integrate Oral Health into Primary Diabetes Care
304
Introduction: Oral diseases are among the overlooked complications in people with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing oral diseases; however, evidence shows that U.S. adults with diabetes are less likely to visit a dentist compared with U.S. adults without diabetes. Rural adults face compounded barriers to care. The recently announced Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) under Public Law 119-21 calls for transforming rural health care delivery to improve access to and quality of care. This study utilizes health policy and primary care integration frameworks to analyze potential opportunities within the RHTP to integrate oral health into primary diabetes care. Methods: The health policy triangle framework was used to describe the content, context, process, and actors of the RHTP. The Rainbow Model of Integrated Care (RMIC) was used as an analytic framework to map RHTP funding provisions to its six integration domains. National oral health integration and strategic documents, along with publicly available summaries of state RHTP applications, were reviewed. Results: Mapping of the RHTP funding provisions to the RMIC framework indicates that ten of the eleven allowable uses align with one or more RMIC domains, with functional and normative integration serving as cross-cutting enablers. Integration-relevant initiatives identifiable within the RHTP provisions include facility modifications to support coordinated service delivery; interoperable health information systems that enable coordinated care and patient education; integration of dental services within patient-centered medical homes; provider payment incentives for delivering preventive oral health services; recruitment and retention of dental care providers; and collaboration with regional partners. In addition, rural facilities may leverage the RHTP to expand and modernize care delivery models, including teledentistry and mobile dental clinics. Conclusion: The RHTP presents multiple opportunities to integrate oral health care into primary diabetes care.
