There is growing recognition of the relationship between mental illness and behavioral health disorders with oral and physical health status. Safety net provider organizations are key to providing integrated care for many of their patients with mental health or substance use disorders. The Oral Health Workforce Research Center conducted 6 case studies of Federally Qualified Health Centers or other safety net providers that have successfully integrated oral health and substance abuse/behavioral health services.

This report describes benchmark strategies used by safety net provider organizations to integrate health services delivery for patients including screening for and identifying medical, dental, and mental health conditions during health care encounters and directing referrals to appropriate clinical providers.