The virtual dental home: bringing oral health to vulnerable and underserved populations

J Calif Dent Assoc. 2012 Jul;40(7):569-77.

Abstract

Large and increasing oral health disparities in the U.S. population led the Institute of Medicine to call for expanded research and demonstration of delivery systems that test new methods and technologies. These new methods include delivering oral health services in nontraditional settings, using nondental professionals, expanded roles for existing dental professionals and new types of dental professionals, and incorporating telehealth technologies. The virtual dental home is a system that demonstrates the characteristics called for by the IOM.

MeSH terms

  • California
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration
  • Dental Auxiliaries / statistics & numerical data
  • Dental Care / methods
  • Dental Care / organization & administration*
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Medically Underserved Area
  • National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division*
  • Oral Health*
  • Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration
  • Telemedicine / methods
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration*
  • United States
  • User-Computer Interface*
  • Vulnerable Populations*