title: Integration of oral health into primary care: a scoping review protocol.
abstract: Integrated care has been introduced as a means of improving health outcomes and access to care, and reducing the cost of healthcare. Despite its importance, the integration of oral health into primary care is still an emerging healthcare pathway. This scoping review protocol has been developed and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to provide an evidence-based synthesis on a primary oral healthcare approach and its effectiveness in improving oral health outcomes.
  
  
  
  The 6-stage framework developed by Levac et al underpins this scoping review. We will identify relevant existing theories, programmes and original research through a comprehensive and systematic search of electronic databases such as OVID (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases), NCBI (PubMed), EBSCOhost (CINAHL), ProQuest, Databases in Public Health, Databases of the National Institutes of Health (health management and health technology) and relevant organisational websites and other sources of grey literature. All types of studies from 1978 to May 2016 in the French and English languages will be included. Using the Rainbow conceptual model of integrative primary care, a qualitative descriptive approach and thematic analysis will be used to synthesise the literature. Implementing novel healthcare models necessitates identifying barriers, sharing knowledge and delivering information. The integration of oral healthcare into primary care is an approach that promotes breaking the boundaries separating oral healthcare professionals and primary care. It creates opportunities for the dental workforce to become more involved in community-based practice and to assume shared responsibility with healthcare professionals to address the unmet oral health needs of those experiencing vulnerability and marginalisation.
  
  
  
  The scoping study has received approval from the Université de Montréal's Institutional Review Board (#14-097-CERES-D). The findings will be disseminated through publications and presentations in provincial, national and international research symposiums and professional meetings.
authors: Faculty of Dentistry, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Elham
authors: E
authors: Emami
authors: École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Hermina
authors: H
authors: Harnagea
authors: Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Girard
authors: Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Charbonneau
authors: Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Voyer
authors: Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, McGill College, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Christophe Pierre
authors: CP
authors: Bedos
authors: Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Chartier
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Gatineau Integrated Center of Health and Social Services, Shawville, Québec, Canada.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Wootton
authors: École de travail social, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Couturier
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000098584:Scoping Reviews as Topic
keywords: ORAL MEDICINE; PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH