Work

An Academic-Community Partnership Model for the Virtual Dental Home

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Children in rural areas often face limited access to dental care. School-based teledentistry models like the virtual dental home (VDH) offer an innovative way to expand preventive services.Methods From 2021 to 2025, the UCSF-Smile Keepers VDH program operated in a public school, serving students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. Dental services were delivered using a hybrid model that combined on-site care with teledentistry supervision. Data was extracted from the electronic health records and trainee evaluations to assess patient/clinical outcomes and trainee outcomes.Results The average annual enrollment rate for eligible students across all four years of implementation was 24%, with an average of four visits per patient. Services provided were mainly preventive and diagnostic. Trainee confidence improved significantly, particularly in virtual treatment planning and serving children with special health care needs. The program reached primarily low income, Medicaid-enrolled students.Conclusions The VDH model improved access to preventive dental care for school children while enhancing hands on training for residents. It offers a promising strategy for care delivery in rural schools.Practical Implications Integrating teledentistry into dental training programs can help close access gaps for underserved children by equipping future providers to work effectively in community and public health settings.

Source: Journal of the California Dental Association

DOI: 10.1080/19424396.2026.2719416