Health Plan of San Mateo Partners with Dentistry.One to Provide Virtual Dental Care

Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM), the largest non-profit public health plan in San Mateo County, has teamed up with Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care service introduced by MouthWatch. This collaboration will provide virtual dental care to nearly 150,000 Medi-Cal and dual eligible members, complementing HPSM Dental, the first fully integrated dental plan for Medi-Cal members in California, according to a press release from MouthWatch.

HPSM members will gain access to Dentistry.One's network of dentists and Care Advisors. These professionals are said to offer personalized oral health advice and patient care coordination, addressing a wide range of dental issues, from emergency tooth pain to understanding available benefits. The service includes live video consultations and photo uploads for remote diagnosis, with a personalized Oral Health Report provided within 24 hours.

With nearly 2% of emergency department visits being dental-related, per numbers cited in the press release, Dentistry.One aims to offer a more time-efficient and cost-effective alternative. This service is particularly beneficial in "dental deserts" like San Mateo County, where access to dental care is limited.

"Partnering with Dentistry.One exemplifies our 35-year commitment to the vision that Health is for everyone, which extends beyond solely addressing medical needs by integrating dental care," said Carolyn Brown, DDS, Health Plan of San Mateo Dental Director. "Offering our members access to Dentistry.One virtual dental services underscores our recognition that oral health is vital to overall wellbeing. The service will provide a tangible solution for increasing access to the oral health care our members need and deserve.”

This initiative is especially important for members with chronic conditions, as better dental care can improve overall health outcomes. Studies have shown that untreated oral diseases can worsen conditions like diabetes, underscoring the importance of integrated dental care services.