VIable

NDHI
NAT IONAL DIALOGUE FOR
Healthcare Innovation
Marshfield Dental Initiative
Organization Overview
• Marshfield Clinic Health System is a not-for-profit
healthcare system with over 50 care locations, an
expansive medical group practice, an ambulatory
footprint, and a health plan
• The health system covers the entire spectrum of care
from wellness to end of life care, with an emphasis
on efficient and effective patient-centered care in
both public and commercial markets
Background
Studies have shown that dental care is closely linked
to broader physical health, affecting diabetes, heart
disease, systemic infection, and pregnancy outcomes.
Further, individuals who have significant oral health
disease and cannot obtain dental care experience
increased difficulty in finding gainful employment and in
job progression. In 2000, the Surgeon General released
a report detailing disparities in access to oral health
services among the poor and called for integration of
dental and medical health.
The Marshfield Clinic responded by partnering with the
Family Health Center, a federally-funded community
health center, to launch the Marshfield Dental Initiative
in 2002. This program enables both partner organizations
to better address comorbid conditions, increase
community health, and improve the employability and
productivity of the low-income population. Over 90% of
services are provided to individuals at or below 200%
of the federal poverty level.
Program Details
The Dental Initiative not only increases access to dental
care, but also integrates medicine and dentistry to
provide a holistic care experience to patients.
Key aspects of the program include:
• Formation of a group practice model to share
expertise and improve quality
• Development of an integrated dental and medical
electronic health record, enabling coordinated
treatment for patients with complex conditions
• Establishment of an Advanced Education in General
Dentistry program to train dental residents in integrated
EHR and bi-directional management of oral
health and chronic health conditions
• Creation of a dedicated training space, training
room, and classroom for training dental students
• Development of decision support that allows
physicians to differentiate patients based on their
dental help-seeking behavior, in order to facilitate
counseling and referrals for dental services
Value Delivered
The Marshfield Clinic Dental Initiative has improved
the overall healthcare system by providing significant
clinical and economic value to patients and communities:
• Established 10 dental centers, with 45 dentists,
3 oral surgeons and 41 hygienists, and provided
dental services to over 127,000 patients from all
72 counties in the state
An Initiative of the
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Marshfield Dental Initiative