eHealth Program: Teledentistry
Between 2005 and 2008, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles implemented a pilot program to address access to oral health care issues in rural Tulare County. The eHealth Program created school-based dental clinics connected to our Division of Dentistry and Orthodontics through a high speed computer network allowing video conferencing and real time remote input and access to hospital dental systems. Under the remote supervision of faculty pediatric dentists, a registered dental hygienist provided preventive oral health treatments and education to underserved K-12 children of agricultural workers. eHealth Teledentistry Network staff worked closely with the families to address access to care barriers and coordinate restorative care needs with local dental providers. The primary goal of the program was to encourage behavior modification in high risk patients and families leading to life long health. |
