Empowering Connected Dental & Medical Care
The Oral Health Interoperability Alliance (OHIA) is a multi-sector coalition committed to empowering patients, members, and their authorized caregivers to securely access and share their complete oral and medical health information—enabling coordinated, trusted care from all their dental and medical providers.
Join the AllianceAbout Us
Mission
The Oral Health Interoperability Alliance (OHIA) is a multi-sector coalition committed to empowering patients, members, and their authorized caregivers to securely access and share their complete oral and medical health information—enabling coordinated, trusted care from all their dental and medical providers.
Purpose
OHIA aims to make health care simpler, safer, and more connected—for patients, dentists, medical providers, and other care team members. We transform oral and medical health care by making clinical and claims information easy to share securely across electronic health systems, leveraging open standards and a commitment to implementation. We foster truly coordinated care, reduce provider burden, drive industry collaboration, and establish robust standards that advance health systems' interoperability—ultimately improving outcomes for every patient and every care provider.
History & Purpose
OHIA was formed as a result of a convening held in June, 2025 by leading organizations in dental and medical technology, building upon foundational work by the Dental Standards Institute with support from the standards division of the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization program as well as other key contributors. The formation of OHIA reflects industry-wide recognition that the lack of dental interoperability creates significant cost burdens and safety risks for patients and providers. OHIA brings together stakeholders from across the healthcare spectrum to address these critical challenges of dental-medical data interoperability. Our objectives are to accelerate standards adoption, promote open collaboration, and support the implementation of interoperable solutions in real-world settings.
Our Approach
We believe in consensus-driven, multi-stakeholder collaboration. By connecting dental and medical health data, we enable coordinated care, empower patients, and advance the industry toward seamless interoperability. Our work is guided by transparency, inclusivity, and a commitment to technical excellence.
Strategic Priorities
Current Challenge
Today, when medical treatment (such as cancer care or heart surgery) requires dental involvement, there's no standardized way for doctors to refer patients to dentists or share the treatment plan—making coordination difficult. Additionally, the lack of ability to refer dentists from a medical office is costly and creates burden for emergency rooms, specialists, and patients.
Solution
Implement standards-based referral systems and data sharing using existing and updated health care interoperability standards (like CDS Hooks, SMART on FHIR, and subscriptions). Medical offices will be able to systematically send patient information to dental practices, enabling coordinated care and efficient treatment planning. Enhance dental systems to implement similar standards so data can also be shared back to physician offices when needed.
Current Challenge
Dental providers struggle to share patient and clinical information securely among offices and practices, often relying on manual processes or incomplete records, which can disrupt continuity of care.
Solution
Develop and promote open data-sharing standards that allow dental offices to transfer patient files and treatment details electronically with patient consent, improving collaboration and care quality. Efforts are underway at several standards organizations to unify the model for data sharing. OHIA will accelerate the definition and adoption of these models, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and seamless sharing of dental information across systems.
Current Challenge
Patients are often unable to readily view or share their dental records and insurance claims due to fragmented systems, multiple logins, and inconsistent standards. This creates confusion, limits data visibility, and adds unnecessary barriers to engaging with their own health information—even when records and claims relate to the same dental encounter.
Solution
Provide patients the ability to access their dental records, images, medications, and history using secure interoperability solutions that minimize logins and maximize data visibility. Leverage and improve existing standards for claims and encounters (as implemented in CMS-9115-F and enhanced by CMS-0057-F). Accelerate the adoption of other industry-wide interoperability standards and secure digital identity practices, including progress being made as part of CMS Aligned Network pledge. Support emerging and existing efforts to standardize access to images.
Current Challenge
Patients often struggle to find accurate, up-to-date information about dental providers or available services, resulting in delays and frustration.
Solution
Enable patients to search for and select dentists easily, aligning with national healthcare directory initiatives. Utilize ongoing initiatives by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and similar organizations to develop open, standards-based dental provider and service directories.
Current Challenge
Determining insurance coverage and eligibility are difficult among dentistry practices and requires patients to re-enter data multiple times. The lack of visibility of eligibility and coverage creates delays.
Solution
Implement open standards for real-time digital insurance checks, allowing patients to "check in" with digital insurance cards and enabling practices to instantly verify benefits at the point of care.
Upcoming Events
Join us in shaping the future of dental-medical interoperability
OHIA Workshop at the American Dental Association
Shaping the Future of Dental Data Interoperability
Time
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST
Location
ADA Headquarters, Chicago
Format
In-Person & Remote Options
Participate in shaping the future of dental data interoperability! 🚀
Join us for an exclusive OHIA Workshop at the American Dental Association (ADA) headquarters in Chicago. Held just ahead of the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, this strategic gathering brings together key decision-makers from dental and medical professions to enhance interoperability across healthcare systems.
Event Highlights
- Connect with key decision-makers from dental and medical sectors
- Participate in collaborative discussions on data interoperability standards
- Contribute to shaping OHIA's strategic direction and initiatives
- Network with industry leaders, technology innovators, and healthcare professionals
- Flexible participation: Join in-person at ADA Headquarters or attend remotely
Note: Indicating interest does not guarantee an in-person seat. We will confirm attendance details as the event approaches.
HIMSS26 Interoperability & HIE Forum
Bridging the Divide: Seamless Data Integration for Patient-Centered Care
Time
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT
Location
Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
Event Type
One-Day Forum
OHIA will be participating in the HIMSS26 Interoperability & HIE Forum
How can we transform fragmented healthcare delivery into a cohesive ecosystem where data flows securely and meaningfully across all points of care? This one-day forum features industry-leading experts exploring the intersection of technology, policy, and clinical practice to create truly connected healthcare experiences using open standards that empower patients, providers, and payers.
Forum Focus Areas
- Identify key barriers to effective health information exchange and develop practical strategies
- Evaluate emerging open standards and protocols for secure, efficient data sharing
- Explore real-world use cases where interoperability has improved patient outcomes
- Develop frameworks to assess interoperability effectiveness beyond technical metrics
- Connect with healthcare IT leaders, innovators, and standards organizations
Additional fees and registration apply for HIMSS26 Preconference Forums.
Membership
Description
Industry leaders in dentistry, key advocates for dental interoperability and IT firms, led by Dental Standards Institute and facilitated by Leavitt Partners.
Members
Description
Organizations supporting oral health, dental technology, health IT, application developers, and payers. Members actively participate in key strategies, contribute resources, and adhere to open standards.
Members
- Toothapps
- Kno2
- U.S. Oral Surgery Management
- Albion Dental Technology Consulting LLC
- Apple Health
- b.well Connected Health
- Better Diagnostics AI Corp
- Center for Medicare Advocacy
- Commons Project
- Connie (Connecticut State Health Information Exchange)
- Dental Compliance Institute
- E-Dental Services, LLS dba The TeleDentists
- Elevance Health
- Henry Schein One
- Humana
- Monarch Innovation Partners, Inc.
- MyDigiRecord
- Optimize IT Dental
- Optum
- Park Dental Partners
Description
Representatives from federal agencies observe and share publicly available activities, supporting transparency and consensus-based decisions without direct participation.
Agencies
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- ASTP/ONC
- Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization (FEHRM)
- Indian Health Services (IHS)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
- Department of Defense (DoD)/Department of War (DoW)
Get Involved
Join the Alliance
OHIA welcomes organizations committed to advancing dental-medical interoperability. Whether you're a healthcare provider, technology company, payer, or advocacy organization, your participation can help transform oral and medical health care.
Complete the form below to learn more about membership opportunities and how you can contribute to our mission.