Evaluation of a Medical Dental Integration program can help in assessing and documenting program implementation, outcomes, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of activities. The results obtained from the evaluation can be used to take actions to increase the impact of the program. Evaluation also sheds light on how faithfully the program adheres to implementation protocols. Through program evaluation, we can determine whether activities are implemented as planned and identify program strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. A critical component of program evaluation is measurement, which provides the data needed to assess progress toward program goals.

 

Some measures that experts from NNOHA developed include:

• Number and percentage of oral health assessments or screenings performed by primary care medical providers.

• Number and percentage of fluoride varnish applications for high-risk patients.

• Number and percentage of patients receiving oral health preventive interventions.

• Number and percentage of patients referred from medical to dental.

• Number and percentage of patients that are linked to definitive oral health care and treatment (e.g., through care coordination, patient navigation services).

• Changes in quality of care/outcome indicators such as caries at recall and A1C levels

• Number of dual medical-dental patients

• Number of depression screenings completed in dental 

• Knowledge and skills of primary care medical providers - clinical core competencies.

• Patient experience and knowledge of oral health.

 

For ongoing success, sustainability must also be considered. Washington University at St. Louis and The Center for Public Health Systems Science, Brown School offer online tools that assess Clinical Sustainability and Program Sustainability. 

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Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT) assesses the clinic’s capacity to continue designated care provision over time.

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Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) assesses the program’s ability to maintain programming and its benefits over time.