The Tellies, or Teledentistry Innovation Awards, are designed to recognize and highlight strides in the industry for dental telehealth. Here are the 2021 Award recipients.
Teledentistry and digital imaging device solutions company MouthWatch has announced the 4 winners of its 2021 Teledentistry Innovation Awards, known as the “Tellies”. These awards were granted for advancements in teledentistry in the year 2021, and designed to highlight the broad spectrum of applications that teledentistry may have. The categories are dental education, dentist/specialist, dental hygiene, and oral health program (non-profit of business).
In the Dental Education category, Dr Shibani Sahni of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) was awarded. The HSDM launched a teledentistry pilot program to expand the teaching modality for students as well as establish continuity to its special need’s dental care program, according to a press release from MouthWatch.
In the Dentist/Specialist category, Founnder of Kare Mobile Dr Kwame Watson, was awarded for the use of teledentistry for mobile concierge dentistry. Kare Mobile, which provides patients in Louisville, KY with quality dental care, has established itself as a dental support organization (DSO) in the mobile, concierge dentistry category.
For the Dental Hygiene Award, Michelle Vacha, RDH, BS, Founder of Community Dental Health, is recognized with this award for her commitment to aiding underserved populations. Community Dental Health sends hygienists to schools, nursing homes, and rural communities in Colorado to provide oral healthcare to these populations. Community Dental Health provides $1.5 million worth of oral care services every year.
Finally, for the Oral Health Program award, Chief Dental Officer at Ravenswood Dental Health Center Yogita Thakur has been recognized for the center’s “Virtual Dental Home.” This program is said to represent the core tenants of telehealth.
CEO and Founder of MouthWatch Brant Herman says that the Tellies show what teledentistry is truly capable of.
“During the past year of recovery, we’ve seen a tremendous uptick in teledentistry innovation and adoption,” Herman said in the press release. “Each of this year’s Tellie winners represent diverse types of teledentistry programs, but all are focused on improving access to care and patient outcomes.”
Nominations for next year’s Tellie Awards are now being accepted online.