Intraoral Cameras, Teledentistry Enabling Fones School to Advance Hygiene Education and Access to Care

Fones School of Dental Hygiene, the world’s first dental hygiene school, holds the unique distinction of being the originator of dental public health. This heritage drives the school’s commitment to remain at the forefront of dental education and public service.

Embracing new technologies has always been integral to our mission of simultaneously and effectively educating our students and serving the public. Achieving this dual mission is made possible by Fones continuously incorporating new technology into its curriculum.

Since 2021, Fones School has integrated MouthWatch intraoral cameras and its TeleDent teledentistry platform into its hygiene education program. This was made possible by a grant aimed at addressing post-COVID-19 access to dental care.

Although intraoral cameras were already in use, the grant provided the impetus for the school to expand into teledentistry, thus allowing hygienists to work within the top of their scope of practice, while also improving patients’ access to care.

An Unexpected Virtual Care Opportunity
The Fones School teledentistry program began almost by accident. A grant needing fulfillment led to an unexpected but welcome opportunity to use newer technologies offered by MouthWatch, such as intraoral cameras and its cloud-based teledentistry platform called TeleDent.

This unforeseen opportunity significantly broadened the school’s horizons in hygiene education, but also in community outreach. During and post-COVID-19, access to care dramatically decreased, but this technology has enabled us to have our doctor on campus while Fones’ faculty and students provide virtual dental exams and consultations at off-site locations across Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The Real-World Impact of Teledentistry on Access to Care
Teledentistry has enabled Fones School to extend care far beyond the clinic. Students now provide dental services at a homeless shelter, a Head Start program, and a community center in East Bridgeport, serving patients from newborns to older adults.

This expanded outreach allows hygiene students to act as the primary information gatherers; they use intraoral cameras to capture detailed images and videos of patients’ oral cavities. These are immediately uploaded to the TeleDent platform, where our on-campus dentist can review them in real-time or asynchronously. The dentist can then use the video conferencing feature to discuss findings with the hygienist and patient, annotate images to highlight areas of concern, and develop treatment plans collaboratively.

The program’s success has led to additional funding, enabling us not only to continue providing free oral care but to serve a larger population.

Another significant achievement is the high rate of patient referrals for further care, demonstrating the effectiveness of our outreach with intraoral cameras and teledentistry.

Navigating Change
The introduction of the teledentistry program brought exciting opportunities for growth and learning. While the school initially encountered some technical considerations regarding software and hardware compatibility, data security, and system integration, these were promptly addressed by MouthWatch’s dedicated client success team.

Although adapting to new systems required some adjustment for staff members, they quickly recognized how teledentistry simplified remote supervision procedures. This ultimately led to a more streamlined and efficient process, enhancing the overall experience for patients and practitioners alike.

Year 1 Teledentistry Training
Dental hygiene students at Fones School are now trained in using intraoral cameras and teledentistry during their first year. They gain practical experience in the classroom and clinic before participating in external rotations in the community.

This training is essential as intraoral cameras are the primary tool for virtual examinations, enabling students to gather accurate data for remote assessments.

Our students quickly adapt to this technology—appreciating the practical application of their classroom skills in real-world settings. The technology’s user-friendly nature facilitated a smooth transition from clinic to community-based care, enhancing the students’ educational experience and their contributions to public health dentistry.

Intraoral Cameras, Teledentistry, and Their Positive Impact on Patient Care
The use of intraoral cameras has greatly enhanced patient education. Showing patients what we see in their mouths has always been beneficial, and the new MouthWatch cameras have made it even easier. They are lightweight, easy to use, and help capture clear images, which aid in accurate diagnosis and referral.

What’s more, patients have responded positively to teledentistry. The technology facilitates thorough and engaging consultations, enhancing the patient-provider relationship.

The convenience and accessibility of care in their communities, coupled with the removal of financial barriers, have significantly improved patient satisfaction and follow-up rates.

Fones Success Metrics
The success of the Fones’ School program can be seen in the number of patients treated and their continuous return for care. Initially anticipating treating around 150 patients a year, Fones School ended up treating closer to 350.

The ease of use of the technology, once implemented, played a significant role in this success. More than 300 patients of all ages have benefited from the program. It has also identified patients eligible for free restorative care, creating a comprehensive care loop.

In addition, the ability to see patients return to the clinic for routine care is a significant achievement, addressing a common challenge in outreach programs. Perhaps most importantly, the trust built through these services ensures patients receive continuous and comprehensive care.

Conclusion
Fones School of Dental Hygiene’s integration of teledentistry and intraoral cameras has significantly advanced its mission of providing advanced hygiene education for its students and delivering accessible, high-quality dental care through its clinic.

The program’s success serves as a model for incorporating innovative technologies in dental education and public health. Through community rotations, mobile equipment, and supportive technology, Fones School of Dental Hygiene has not only expanded its reach but also ensured that dental care is accessible to those who need it most.