A pilot program launched by United Concordia Dental and Harmony Health aims to study the potential of a new technology — instant saliva testing and a mobile health app — to expand health care coverage for medically underserved populations in Pennsylvania, including individuals on Medicaid and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“Research shows that some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations face numerous challenges getting the dental care they need,” said Ed Shellard, DDS, president and CEO of United Concordia Dental.
“The results of this pilot will help us determine the effectiveness of this new technology in addressing access to care and its impact on patient engagement, disease risk reduction, and cost of care.”
“We are excited to be working with United Concordia to explore innovative solutions to reduce barriers to oral care and improve health outcomes for underserved populations,” said Kelli Bingham, Executive Director of Harmony Health.
We believe technology can help many Pennsylvanians overcome challenges in accessing oral care, and we are excited to launch this program and learn more about how to achieve this goal.”
The pilot will introduce saliva testing to provide real-time insights into oral health risks, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and diabetes. Approximately 400 patients will be seen at participating dental offices or self-guided at home.
Whether at home or in the clinic, test result data will be integrated with a mobile app that uses AI photography to provide guidance and personalized health reports.
Key goals of the pilot include improving access to care for underserved populations and evaluating the effectiveness of new technologies in enhancing preventive care and their potential for larger-scale adoption.
Additionally, the pilot will evaluate the role that risk assessment results play in encouraging patients to visit the clinic.
The nine-month program will involve dental practices, health care professionals and state government partners. At the end of the program, key success metrics such as patient engagement, utilization and behavioral changes will be reported.
“If successful, this new technology will provide benefits to both patients and dentists – enhancing patient hygiene education and disease screening while alleviating some of the responsibilities of the dental care team,” Sherald said.
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