FDI World Dental Federation launches global call for integration of oral health into Electronic Health Records
New Consensus Statement outlines strategies to unify dental and medical health records. Integration aims to improve patient care, streamline health systems and support global health policy goals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 March 2025 – FDI World Dental Federation, today released a landmark Consensus Statement on Integrated Electronic Health Records(EHRs), urging health systems worldwide to embed oral health into broader digital health infrastructures. The statement identifies eight core oral health indicators that should be routinely shared and outlines a strategic framework for uniting dental and medical records to deliver more holistic, person-centred care.
“Oral health is a crucial component of overall health, yet oral health indicators are often excluded from electronic health records. Integrating these indicators into EHRs can significantly improve diagnoses, treatment coordination, medication management and patient outcomes, while also strengthening interprofessional collaboration,” said FDI President, Dr Greg Chadwick.
Developed by global experts, the eight key indicators include periodontal disease, caries, oral cancer screenings, oral health status, medical devices and implants information, prescription data, allergy information, and radiographic imaging. Given that poor oral health can significantly impact overall health – including chronic conditions like diabetes – integration ensures it is no longer treated in isolation. This approach enables patients to receive more coordinated, timely, and personalized care, with reduced risk of errors, better disease prevention, and improved outcomes.
FDI’s Integrated Electronic Health Records project is supported by Henry Schein and Henry Schein One. David Kochman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Henry Schein, echoed the importance of cross-sector collaboration stating: “Henry Schein and Henry Schein One are pleased to be leading support of FDI’s important initiative to develop a baseline standard of patient health information sharing.” Dr Ryan Hungate, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer at Henry Schein One continued “Creating a common language for electronic dental and medical record integration enables clinicians to collaborate more effectively and efficiently in adopting systemic healthcare approaches, ultimately improving global patient care, and we are excited to continue pioneering as we utilize the Consensus Statement’s standards.”
The report also addresses current challenges, including standardization, interoperability, data security, cost barriers, and international coordination, while outlining strategic solutions for implementation. With global health policy shifts already underway, the Consensus Statement explains why the opportune moment is now to establish a baseline standard for the patient data fields to be integrated between digital healthcare systems.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Charanjit (Chaz) Jagait, PhD, FDI Public Health, Advocacy and Communications Director
Mob.: +41 79 796 76 13; Email: cjagait@fdiworlddental.org
About FDI World Dental Federation
FDI World Dental Federation is the leading global voice of the dental profession and envisions a world with optimal oral health. It serves as the principal representative body for over 1 million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes some 200 national dental associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. www.fdiworlddental.org/
About the Integrated Electronic Health Records project supported by Henry Schein https://www.fdiworlddental.org/electronic-health-records-dentistry; Read the Consensus Statement
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With approximately 25,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, the Company's network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that help improve operational success and clinical outcomes. Henry Schein’s Business, Clinical, Technology and Supply Chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.
Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 300,000 branded products and Henry Schein corporate brand products in the Company’s main distribution centers. A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the S&P 500® index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 33 countries and territories. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, Instagram.com/HenrySchein, and @HenrySchein on X.
About Henry Schein One
Henry Schein One, a leader in dental software, empowers dentists to focus on patient care, ensuring practice success.
With its simple and integrated software, practices are finally more seamless, more efficient, and more profitable—meaning patients and practitioners are happier. With comprehensive solutions: demand generation, patient experience, practice management, revenue management, dental analytics, and clinical workflow, dental practices will be running smoother than ever before. Henry Schein One, LLC, is a joint venture between Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) and Internet Brands. For more information, visit: https://www.henryscheinone.com/; or connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henry-schein-one/