As the connection between oral health and overall health becomes more understood, the dental profession increasingly recognizes interprofessional communication as a means of improving the total health and well-being of their patients. Establishing an understanding of this collaborative approach to patient care begins in dental school, where modern curriculum will teach future dentists the best strategies for working with general health-care practitioners and medical specialists. An increased dialogue with a patient’s entire medical team and seizing opportunities to attend medical conferences may become the standard, and help dentists provide more comprehensive oral health care to their patients. The hope is that dental care will become a fundamental part of each Ontarian’s overall health-care strategy.

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