Assessing CO MDI Model Readiness

The CO MDI model of Medical-Dental integration is valuable to practices that serve a patient population with high oral health needs. This model can support the practice in meeting those needs and with financial viability. These patient populations may experience challenges with accessing dental care or have medical conditions that impact their oral health. Such groups include:

• Low-income populations.
• Children.
• Pregnant women.
• Rural communities.
• Students receiving health care at school-based health centers.
• Individuals with diabetes.
• Individiuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Immigrant populations.
• Seniors.

The SAMHSA/HRSA Integration Framework describes a spectrum of care that ranges from coordinated to co-located to integrated. The CO MDI model strives for the most integrated end of the spectrum to support the practice in meeting the needs of the population.

The startup and planning for implementing the CO MDI model in your practice may require significant time and staffing resources, as well as flexibility and nimbleness. You may also want to seek technical assistance, coaching, and/or other resources outside of your practice.

Assessing your Readiness Tools

Here are a few tools to help assess your practice’s readiness for the CO MDI model.

1. This survey tool can be used to survey your medical patients regarding their dental needs.
2. “Is Your Practice Ready for the CO MDI model?” will help you think through each topic to consider for practice readiness. Use it with your practice planning team.
3. Take this interactive assessment to get a sense of your practice’s readiness to implement the CO MDI model. You will receive responses of RED, ORANGE, or GREEN, guiding you as to how equipped your practice is for this work.