What You Should Know:
– Avēsis and Harmony Health are launching a groundbreaking year-long pilot program to revolutionize preventive dentistry for underserved Medicaid populations with special healthcare needs.
– The pilot initiative focuses on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who often face challenges in accessing proper oral care.
Pilot Program Details
The program, set to begin in May 2024 across California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, leverages the power of real-time salivary testing and screening. Saliva, a treasure trove of health information, will be used to gain insights into patients’ overall health, oral conditions, and hygiene habits.
This innovative approach offers several advantages:
- Non-invasive and efficient: Saliva testing provides a comfortable and easy way to monitor a patient’s health.
- Early disease detection: By analyzing salivary biomarkers, dental professionals can identify signs of diabetes, gum disease, and cavities at an early stage, enabling timely intervention.
- Personalized treatment plans: The program tailors treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs based on their individual health profile. This personalized approach optimizes treatment efficacy and minimizes risks.
This multi-state pilot program reflects Avēsis’ dedication to increasing access to advanced healthcare solutions for diverse patient populations. Strategically chosen sites will serve as hubs for advancing preventive dentistry and promoting value-based care initiatives within their regions.
“More needs to be done to improve oral health outcomes for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For this underserved population, dental appointments are no easy feat—fraught with challenges, uncertainties, and fears,” said Brian Jones, Chief Growth Officer of Avēsis. “Our goal is to do more for patients with special healthcare needs—to break down barriers with innovative technologies that improve preventive care. This is the first-ever chairside salivary test that offers immediate results—what this will do for early disease detection and personalized treatment is significant.”
