A pilot program launched by United Concordia Dental and Harmony Health plans to study a new technology’s potential—a point-of-care saliva test and mobile health app—for expanding access to care for underserved Pennsylvanians, including individuals with Medicaid and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“Research has shown that some of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians face many challenges in getting the dental care they need,” said Ed Shellard, DMD, president and CEO of United Concordia Dental. “The results of this pilot program will help us determine how effective this new technology is in addressing access to care, as well as its impact on patient engagement, lowering disease risk, and reducing care costs.”
“We are thrilled to partner with United Concordia to explore innovative solutions that reduce barriers to oral health care and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations,” said Kelli Bingham, executive director of Harmony Health. “We believe that technology can help overcome challenges to oral health access for many Pennsylvanians, and we are excited to launch this project and learn more about how that can be accomplished.”
Advancing Preventive Care with Cutting-Edge Technology
The pilot will introduce a saliva test that provides real-time insights into oral health risks, such as cavities, gum disease, and diabetes. A group of about 400 patients will receive the test either chairside at participating dental offices or at home with self-guided instruction. Both at-home and in-office methods will integrate results data with a mobile app using artificial intelligence-enabled photography for guidance and personalized wellness reports.
Key goals of the pilot include improving care access for underserved populations and assessing the new technology’s effectiveness in enhancing preventive care and its ability to be used on a larger scale. In addition, the pilot will evaluate the role the risk assessment results play in motivating in-office dentist visits.
A Collaborative Effort for Lasting Impact
This nine-month initiative will involve dental offices, healthcare professionals, and state partners. At the project’s conclusion, key success metrics such as patient engagement, utilization rates, and behavior changes will be reported.
“If successful, this new technology could have benefits for patients and dentists alike—increasing patient hygiene education and disease screening while easing some of that responsibility for dental care teams,” said Shellard.
About United Concordia Dental
United Concordia Dental is a leading national dental solutions partner focused on providing access to personalized, high-quality, cost-effective dental care, with an emphasis on improving total health. Headquartered in Camp Hill, Pa., the company has more than 10.2 million members, one of the nation’s largest dentist networks, an AM Best “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating, and licensed entities in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. United Concordia offers flexible benefit solutions and products that meet the unique overall health needs of customers of all sizes. For more information about United Concordia, visit UnitedConcordia.com.
About Harmony Health
Harmony Health is a non-profit organization committed to using innovative technologies to drive positive change in underserved communities. Our primary focus is on enhancing oral health and fostering community development while advocating for health equity. We collaborate with partners and actively engage in change management and efforts to uplift marginalized populations. Visit harmonyhealthfoundation.org for more information.
