Objectives: Over the past two and a half years the South Australian Dental Service has undertaken a collaborative program involving aged care, medical and dental sectors. The objectives have been to a) demonstrate that the inclusion of an oral health assessment in a general health assessment and the provision of timely dental treatment for community living older people improves levels of general health and well-being and b) build the oral health capacity in the aged care and medical sectors. Methods: A group of six oral health questions was added to an existing general health assessment conducted by general medical practitioners. The Australian Government funds this Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Health Assessment for older people (over 75yrs) who are living in the community. This assessment is conducted in the older person's home by the GP or health assessor. Those assessed as needing dental care and eligible for public-funded dental services were offered immediate appointments, bypassing the usual two year wait. Information about past patterns of dental care, chewing capacity, oral health related quality of life and general health related quality of life was collected at the initial dental treatment appointment. Results: Six months after completion of dental care, there were statistically significant improvements in average ratings of oral health and quality of life including a 35% increase in the percentage of people rating their oral health as good or better(P<0.01), a reduction in reported adverse impacts from 2.0 to 0.6 (P<0.01) and a significant increase in selected goal attainment scores (P<0.01) and role-emotional scores. Conclusion: Older peoples' oral health and quality of life can be improved by integrating an oral health assessment within a general health assessment and providing timely dental care.