Integrating Oral Health into Interoperability: Why Dentistry Belongs on TEFCA
As national interoperability efforts continue to mature, the conversation is increasingly shifting from connectivity to impact—specifically, how data exchange improves care coordination and patient outcomes.
One area that remains notably underrepresented in this discussion is dentistry.
Historically, dental care has operated largely outside of the broader medical data ecosystem. Separate systems, limited exchange capabilities, and minimal integration with traditional healthcare workflows have contributed to a persistent gap in longitudinal patient records. That gap has real consequences. Research has shown that patients with diabetes and hypertension regularly fail to disclose these conditions to their dentists—not because they are withholding information, but because no structured mechanism exists to connect the two sides of their care.
Clinical research has established meaningful associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. These relationships are not theoretical—they influence risk profiles, treatment decisions, and long-term health outcomes. Yet most dental providers continue to operate without routine access to the medical history, medications, and diagnoses that should inform their work.
The result is a fragmented view of the patient—one that relies heavily on self-reported information and introduces avoidable risk for providers and patients alike.
TEFCA changes that.
TEFCA enables providers, payers, and patients to access and securely share health information regardless of where it is stored—ensuring patient data follows the patient across every care setting. The network is live and operational nationwide, with more than 9,000 organizations already connected and tens of millions of clinical documents exchanged under the framework. This is not emerging infrastructure. It is the infrastructure—and dental organizations now have the opportunity to be part of it.
Joining TEFCA as a participant means dental providers gain access to a more complete picture of their patients: relevant diagnoses, active medications, recent care events. It means medical providers treating patients with chronic conditions can see the oral health factors that may be contributing to systemic inflammation or complicating disease management. And it means the longitudinal record that care coordination actually requires finally reflects the full scope of a patient's health.
Selecting the right Qualified Health Information Network matters. The right QHIN brings not just connectivity, but experience, support, and a network built to serve the specific needs of dental organizations entering this space.
The infrastructure is ready. The clinical case is clear. The next step is participation.
Dianne Koval, RHIA, CCEP, CHPS
Vice President, Operations
Centauri Health Solutions, Inc.