Why the Twentyeight Health Model Could Be the Future of Oral Health Access
Access to timely and preventive dental care remains a critical issue affecting millions of people in the U.S., particularly those in low-income, rural, or underserved communities. As with reproductive health, dental care is often overlooked in policy and access discussions—even though oral health plays a vital role in overall well-being.
Twentyeight Health has already demonstrated how telehealth can improve access to essential women’s health services by offering discreet, inclusive, and affordable reproductive and primary care. The same patient-first approach that makes Twentyeight Health a trusted provider could be the key to unlocking access in another overlooked area: oral healthcare.
The Overlooked Crisis of Dental Care Access
Millions of Americans live in dental care deserts—regions where access to licensed dental professionals is limited or nonexistent. Even in urban settings, cost remains a major barrier, especially for those without dental insurance.
Barriers to traditional dental care mirror many of the same issues Twentyeight Health already addresses:
- Geographic limitations: Rural residents often travel hours to reach a clinic.
- Financial strain: Dental visits are expensive and frequently not covered by Medicaid or low-cost insurance.
- Stigma and fear: Anxiety around dental care, compounded by years of neglect or judgment, deters many from seeking help.
- Time constraints: Working families and caregivers struggle to find time for appointments and follow-ups.
- Disparities in access: BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, and undocumented people face persistent inequities in oral health outcomes.
These challenges result in untreated dental problems that escalate into avoidable emergencies—further straining both individuals and public health systems.
Teledentistry: A Solution That Mirrors Reproductive Telehealth
Much like Twentyeight Health’s model, teledentistry offers privacy, convenience, and affordability. Patients can connect with licensed dental professionals via video consultations, upload images of problem areas, and receive treatment plans or prescriptions—all from home.
Key benefits include:
- Virtual consultations for early detection, pain relief, or second opinions.
- Remote monitoring using smartphone photos or oral scanning devices.
- Guided self-care and preventive education—especially important for children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions.
- Reduced costs by avoiding unnecessary in-person visits or ER trips for dental pain.
Why Twentyeight Health Is Well-Positioned to Lead
Twentyeight Health has built a platform that prioritizes access, dignity, and support. Their focus on underserved communities, multilingual services, and discreet care puts them in a unique position to extend their impact.
A dental telehealth expansion could include:
- Virtual dental triage: Helping patients understand whether they need urgent in-person care or can be supported remotely.
- Preventive care kits: Delivered by mail and paired with digital instruction for oral hygiene, gum health, and cavity prevention.
- Affordable tele-dental plans: Especially for uninsured patients, with sliding-scale pricing or integration with Medicaid where allowed.
- Inclusive oral health education: Culturally sensitive, multilingual content to empower patients with knowledge.
The Public Health Impact
Oral health is inseparable from overall health. Untreated dental infections can lead to heart disease, diabetes complications, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Children with dental pain often miss school. Adults may miss work or avoid social interaction due to discomfort or shame.
Improving access to preventive dental care doesn’t just reduce suffering—it reduces healthcare costs, improves productivity, and enhances quality of life. For the populations Twentyeight Health already serves, it could be transformative.
A Call to Action
As policy continues to evolve and telehealth gains ground, it’s time to look beyond reproductive and primary care. Dental health deserves a seat at the table. And Twentyeight Health is uniquely positioned to lead the way—offering a model of compassionate, inclusive, and scalable teledentistry.
If we’re serious about closing health equity gaps, oral care can’t be left behind.