Association responds to CMS request, highlights interoperability challenges and solutions in dental care
The American Dental Association (ADA) has voiced strong support for enhancing data exchange systems to improve outcomes for both dentists and patients. In a letter dated 16 Jun, submitted in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Health Technology Ecosystem Request for Information, the ADA addressed how dental-medical interoperability can support better care and highlighted the specific challenges dental providers face in adopting digital tools.
The Association stated that comprehensive dental records and seamless data exchange promote continuity of care, aiding in diagnosis and the tracking of patient conditions over time. It also noted that removing barriers to interoperability could help reduce healthcare costs and minimise treatment delays, thereby benefiting both patients and practitioners. Integrating dental software with prescription drug monitoring programmes (PDMPs) was seen as essential for streamlining checks on controlled substances and encouraging safer prescribing practices.
The ADA emphasised that adopting standards-based application programming interfaces (APIs) and electronic transactions would significantly reduce the administrative burden caused by manual processes. Interoperable systems would also enable dental professionals to deliver safer and more effective care.
The letter outlined how CMS could help bring oral health more fully into the broader health IT ecosystem. “The ADA comments ask that to achieve the objective of optimal health, which includes oral health, meeting dental providers and practices where they are and supporting them to ensure meaningful participation in the health care system is essential,” the letter stated. It was signed by ada president brett kessler, d.d.s., and interim executive director elizabeth shapiro, d.d.s., j.d.
Drs kessler and shapiro addressed key components of the dental health IT landscape, including dental-specific data needs, imaging, e-prescribing, and PDMP integration. They urged federal agencies to create a roadmap for interstate exchange of e-prescribing and PDMP reporting, making prescription data easily accessible to authorised users. “Specifically, we ask that CMS support integration of dental software systems into [Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs] databases similar to medical systems,” they added.
The ADA also responded to CMS queries concerning patients, caregivers, providers, payers, and IT vendors. It pointed out that, compared with general medical data, dental health records are less accessible and interoperable for patients and carers. This gap is particularly apparent when dental issues intersect with medical treatments. The letter cited research estimating that poor referral and communication pathways between emergency departments and dental systems cost the U.S. over $3.5 billion annually.
“Despite millions of Americans seeking care in emergency departments for dental conditions each year, a lack of interoperability between hospital and dental systems results in costly, fragmented and ineffective care. Without seamless referral pathways or shared health records, most patients receive only temporary relief,” the ADA said. “This disconnect leads to repeat visits, avoidable complications, and billions in unnecessary spending.”
In response to CMS questions on how APIs could advance access to electronic health information, the ADA highlighted its role as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standards developer. The Association develops standards covering nearly all dental tools, ensuring their safety, reliability and efficacy. According to the ADA, its Standards Program is actively developing data content standards to support APIs and future exchange mechanisms that serve dental patients.
“The ADA encourages CMS and its federal partners to engage patients, providers and industry partners to establish operational best practices for identity management, disclosures and data stewardship,” the letter stated. “As data exchange expectations expand, domain-specific information should rely on key stakeholders like the [American National Standards Institute] accredited ADA Standards Program to ensure that data exchange requirements are appropriate and feasible for the specific use case.”
Source: ADA
