Allegheny Health Network Dental Medicine Enhances Patient Care through Integration of Medical and Dental Records

PITTSBURGH (Jan. 12, 2023) – Patients at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Dental Medicine will now experience greater holistic care thanks to newly integrated medical and dental patient management systems. 

The merging of Epic and Wisdom patient record management platforms at AHN will facilitate better integrated clinician engagement and communication, improve early detection of underlying disease and reduce administrative burdens for patients.  This initiative, supported by grant funding from national dental solutions partner United Concordia Dental, will help ensure easy access for AHN providers to patients’ medical and dental health information. 

“Reducing extra administrative steps empowers clinicians to more easily collaborate and provide patients with whole-body care,” said Paulina Zunino, DMD, division chief of AHN Dental Medicine. “We are extremely grateful for United Concordia’s support of this initiative which further elevates AHN’s dental program as a critical component of our overall comprehensive health and wellness model for patients.”

The integration of a patient’s medical and dental health information is particularly helpful for cancer patients undergoing Radiation therapy. Experiencing chronic dry mouth is a common symptom of treatment and may cause serious health implications for patients if untreated. A more seamless sharing of clinical information between physicians and dentists in such cases can help detect and prevent patient tooth decay, gum disease and/or nutritional malabsorption.

“Having visibility within dental medicine into common health conditions a patient may be experiencing gives caregivers the ability to be more proactive in anticipating and treating symptoms at onset, thereby preventing more serious health issues,” said Dr. Zunino.  

Medical-dental integration can also help improve the identification and treatment of diabetes, where severe and rapidly developing gum disease is more common.  The dental records of an at-risk patient with inflamed gums and lingering mouth infections can serve as a prompt for physicians and dentists to further explore other potential health concerns.

The mouth serves as the primary pathway into the body, and research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that oral bacteria and inflammation associated with gum disease can contribute to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and pregnancy and birth complications.

According to the CDC, oral health impacts the ability to eat, speak, smile, and show emotions. Oral health also affects a person’s self-esteem, and impacts performance at work or school.  

“The integration of dental into medical care is important because research shows that oral health is an essential part of overall health and well-being,” said Roosevelt Allen, DDS, MAGD, ABGD, chief dental officer at United Concordia. “We’re pleased that our support will enable AHN patients – and their physicians and dentists – to have a more complete view of their total health to support improved outcomes, as well as an opportunity to identify and address any gaps in care.”

Based at AHN’s Allegheny General Hospital, AHN Dental Medicine has been serving the Pittsburgh region for decades.  Its dental specialists provide general and pediatric dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics and periodontics. To learn more, visit ahn.org/dental.