Perceptions and Experiences With a Virtual Dental Home Teledentistry Program Among Community Health Center and Long-Term Care Facility Staff: A Qualitative Study.

Objectives: Teledentistry, a branch of telehealth, broadens the reach of diagnostic and preventive dental services. The virtual dental home (VDH) addresses barriers for nursing facility residents, offering promise in overcoming challenges. This study explores the experiences and perceptions of a new VDH program among healthcare professionals and allied workers, aiming to determine its perceived value, challenges, and successes.

Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with current and former employees of a federally qualified health center and long-term care facilities (LTCF) involved in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a VDH. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify perceived common values, challenges, and successes of stakeholders involved in this project.

Results: Interviewees indicated transportation was a common barrier to LTCF residents receiving dental treatment and believed participation in the VDH helped improve access to dental care for these individuals. There was a higher than anticipated administrative burden for the community health center participants; notwithstanding, all interviewees indicated an interest in continued participation in this program.

Conclusions: As technology advances and interest in the VDH model grows, ongoing evaluation and improvement are essential. Effective care coordination and comprehensive communication strategies, including designated communication managers, can reduce administrative burdens and support comprehensive care delivery.