CHICAGO, April 18 (BNP): The American Dental Hygienists’ Association announced the Integrated Care Summit 2026: Bridging the Gaps to Whole-Person Care, a two-day interprofessional symposium and workshop in Broomfield, Colorado. The event brings dental hygienists, dentists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health professionals and public health leaders together to address the gaps between oral, medical and behavioral health care.
The summit takes place May 15–17 at the Omni Interlocken Resort and offers 10.0 live/interactive CE and CME credits. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and Henry Schein are anchoring the event as platinum sponsors, with additional support from industry and nonprofit partners.
Nearly 42% of U.S. adults 30 and older have periodontal disease, according to CDC data. In December 2025, the American Heart Association published an updated scientific statement in Circulation detailing growing evidence that links periodontal disease to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation and heart failure — and recommending that high-risk cardiovascular patients receive regular dental screenings. Yet most medical training programs dedicate fewer than five hours to oral health education.
The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts Initiative and the Academy of General Dentistry joining as collaborating organizations, bringing medical and dental leadership to the summit, signals that the demand for integrated care spans well beyond oral care.
“Interprofessional collaboration only matters if it happens in practice. Having the American Heart Association and the Academy of General Dentistry participating on this summit with ADHA shows that the commitment to coordinated care is there across disciplines. Now we put it to work,” said Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, ADHA president.
Attendees will work through interprofessional care mapping exercises, clinical simulation labs and breakout sessions on biomarkers, tele-dentistry, behavioral health integration and health equity. On the exhibit floor, an Activation Station Lounge lets attendees analyze their saliva and receive an Oral Fitness Score in minutes using Dento’s ORALyzer technology, run blood pressure screening simulations with the American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts Initiative and practice A1C point-of-care testing at the Henry Schein station.
“We have long advocated for a more holistic, systemic approach to healthcare—one that prioritizes prevention and wellness across medical, dental, and mental health—because it delivers a win-win-win: healthier patients, stronger families, and lower costs for society,” said Pam Richter, Director, Corporate Affairs at Henry Schein. “With growing evidence linking oral health to systemic conditions, dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to advance integrated care by leading prevention, identifying early risk, and bridging oral and overall health. Events like the ADHA’s Integrated Care Summit serve as an important platform for advancing collaboration, creating awareness, and accelerating the adoption of an improved form of integrated care.”
Between sessions, attendees can join morning fitness classes, guided mindfulness and wellness-focused networking breaks, reinforcing the summit’s focus on whole-person health across the full event experience.
“Addressing complex challenges like integrated care requires intense collaboration from across the health care ecosystem,” said Katie D’Amico, Vice President of Growth & Innovation at CareQuest. “We are proud to support the ADHA as a convenor for the important conversations that turn insights into action and ultimately deliver better patient outcomes.”
The event is dual accredited for dental professionals through the American Academy of Dental Hygiene and for medical professionals through the ACCME, ACPE and ANCC, with joint accreditation provided by ADCES.
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