The Digitally Integrated T2DM and Periodontitis (DigIn2Perio) study aims to evaluate new interprofessional care pathways as an implementation strategy to achieve integrated care for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis. T2DM and periodontitis share common risk factors and influence one another. However, primary care and oral health care continue to operate separate from each other and fail to synchronize care for patients with T2DM and periodontitis. The purpose of this practice-based trial is to evaluate the implementation of a new integrated care pathway for patients with T2DM and periodontitis. The new approach integrates a screening for T2DM risk in dental care settings in patients with periodontitis, a screening for periodontitis risk in primary care settings in patients with T2DM, and mutual referrals between dentists and primary care physicians.

Two practice-based studies are carried out in parallel: (i) In dental care settings: a practice-based, multi-centric, cluster-randomized, controlled trial with a control and an intervention group; (ii) in primary care settings: a practice-based, multi-centric, non-randomized, controlled trial with a synthetic control group calculated from claims data. Patient data are being collected at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after study enrolment. The evaluation comprises: (i) impact evaluation, using a hierarchical linear mixed model; (ii) process evaluation, based on surveys alongside the trials; (iii) economic evaluation. In addition, a Discrete-Choice-Experiment  identifies provider’s payment preferences for the new care approach.

DigIn2Perio is funded by the German Innovation Fund at the Federal Joint Committee. The project will be conducted between 2022 and 2026.

Further details can be found at the project website: https://digin2perio.com/ (external link)