The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges of accessing dental services for seniors in long-term care facilities. Even in the absence of a public health crisis, access to dental care remains a persistent issue.
To address this, a team at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is exploring a solution through a mobile app called ToothPortal.
Dr. Chris Wyatt, Director of the UBC Geriatric Dentistry Program, explained that ToothPortal allows caregivers to securely upload patients’ dental photos, medical histories, and personal information to UBC servers.
Dental teams can use this information to triage patients, determine urgency, and schedule follow-up treatment, thereby reducing unnecessary initial visits.
The idea originated during the pandemic, when caregivers and family members communicated with dentists about dental issues via mobile phone images, text messages, and phone calls. Dr. Wyatt said they hoped to use the app to unify, standardize, and securely integrate this information.
Long-term care facility patients often face challenges accessing dental services, with dental visits taking hours to complete. With ToothPortal, dental teams can access this information before the patient arrives, enabling targeted treatment.
In September 2024, a nursing staff member used the app for the first time, uploading a photo of a patient’s broken front tooth. The team quickly classified the case as urgent and, with the family’s consent, performed the extraction and denture restoration that same day, avoiding an additional appointment.
Since January 2025, third-year UBC dental students have been involved in using the app and reviewing cases, while fourth-year students have subsequently handled the treatment. This provides students with a comprehensive learning experience, from digital triage to clinical practice.
Nursing staff report that using the app allows them to receive faster responses and reduce emergency room visits. Students also say that having access to images and background information in advance helps them better plan treatment.
Looking forward, Dr. Wyatt envisions this technology serving not only long-term care facilities but also remote areas. Nurses can use the app to send clinical data to dentists for professional advice and determine whether referrals or long-distance transportation are necessary.
ToothPortal also serves as a communication platform, fostering collaboration between patients, families, specialists, and medical staff, reducing unnecessary visits to the clinic.
“This is just the beginning,” Dr. Wyatt concluded.