A new initiative to increase oral health education for students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix is expected to launch in the 2024-2025 academic year, which begins in July.

The UA college and Delta Dental of Arizona are partnering to create the Oral Health In Medicine Initiative, made through an $850,000 investment by Delta Dental.

For vulnerable and underserved populations, medical care is often sought for acute care. Lack of access to financial means, nutritious foods and preventive care or unmanaged health conditions can cause patients to delay care until their disease has reached an advanced stage, a Delta Dental press release says.

“By integrating oral health curriculum into medical education, the graduating physicians will be better equipped to address health disparities and understand the connection between oral health to overall health, thereby improving the health and wellness of their patients and our communities,” Michael Jones, Delta Dental of Arizona president and chief executive officer, stated.

Delta Dental of Arizona headquarters is located at 5656 W. Talavi Blvd., in Glendale.

The program is intended to give physicians the knowledge to recognize that the mouth can be a window to underlying health issues and the vocabulary to communicate effectively with their dental colleagues.

According to the 2023 Delta Dental of Arizona Adult Oral Health Survey, while most Arizonans (77%) understand the direct connection between oral health and overall health in general, Baby Boomers are less likely than other generations to know of the connection oral health has to dementia, kidney disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and respiratory health.

“We estimate that upon completion of the program, UArizona College of Medicine–Phoenix graduates will be able to make a positive impact on up to 180,000 patients per class, per year,” Barb Kozuh, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation executive director, stated.