Oral health is a vital part of our overall health. Yet across the UK, dental and medical records are still kept separate – especially where care is delivered privately. This separation can make it harder for healthcare professionals to work together, and in some cases, may delay diagnosis or treatment.

The Oral Health Foundation welcomes the FDI World Dental Federation’s Consensus Statement on Integrated Electronic Health Records (EHRs)¹ and supports the call to embed oral health fully into wider digital health systems.

Our position

We believe key oral health information should be included in every person’s electronic health record. This would help clinicians see the full picture, improving care and supporting better long-term outcomes.

The eight oral health indicators identified by FDI¹ - including gum health, tooth decay, oral cancer screening, dental devices and implants, prescription and allergy information, and X-rays – should be recorded consistently across UK systems.

When dental and medical teams can easily access the same information, it can:

• Support earlier diagnosis – Linked health records can help identify conditions such as diabetes or heart disease sooner.

• Improve care coordination – Shared records help professionals plan treatment together, reducing avoidable complications.

• Strengthen safety – Knowing medication history and allergies helps keep patients safe.

• Reduce health inequalities – A more joined-up system helps ensure no one is left behind.

Challenges and opportunities

Bringing dental records into the wider NHS digital ecosystem will take collaboration and investment. We recognise the key challenges:

• Different systems across NHS and private care – We need shared standards so information can move smoothly and securely.

• Protecting patient confidentiality – Any system must meet GDPR and NHS data protection rules.

• Cost and infrastructure – Investment and support are essential to help dental practices adopt new systems.

• Policy direction – Clear national guidance will help ensure integration is delivered consistently and confidently.

These challenges are real - but they are also solvable.

The digital transformation set out in the NHS Long Term Plan² gives us a clear moment of opportunity. We must ensure oral health is not left behind.

Conclusion

The Oral Health Foundation stands alongside the FDI World Dental Federation in calling for a fully integrated, patient-centred digital health system.¹ We urge government, NHS leaders and technology partners to prioritise the inclusion of oral health within both NHS and private records.

Integrated healthcare benefits everyone – helping oral health be recognised, recorded and treated as an essential part of overall well-being.

References

1. FDI World Dental Federation (2023) Consensus Statement on Integrated Electronic Health Records. Geneva: FDI World Dental Federation.
2. NHS England (2019) The NHS Long Term Plan. Leeds: NHS England.