👴Family in an aged care?

OWD (Open Wide Dentist) offers a thoughtful, tech-enabled approach to dental care that’s especially beneficial for aged care residents—where mobility, access and comfort are key concerns. 

🦷 How OWD Supports Aged Care Residents

✅ Remote Screening & Assessments

• Residents can submit dental images or symptoms via mobile or tablet.
• Dentists review cases remotely, reducing the need for travel or in-person appointments.

⏱ Fast, Professional Feedback

• Quick turnaround on assessments helps staff and families act early.
• Ideal for spotting issues like gum disease, broken teeth or oral infections before they escalate.

💸 Cost-Effective Care

• Offers a lower-cost alternative to traditional dental visits.
• Helps facilities manage oral health budgets while still providing quality care.

🛏 No Disruption to Daily Routine

• Residents stay in familiar surroundings—no transport, no waiting rooms.
• Especially helpful for those with dementia, mobility issues or high care needs.

📋 Clinical Reporting for Staff

• Generates clear, structured reports that carers and nurses can use for follow-up.
• Supports compliance with aged care standards and improves continuity of care.

🛡 Early Detection of Systemic Risks

• Oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline.
• OWD helps catch signs early, contributing to overall wellbeing.

📊 Aged Care Outcomes (Australia-wide)

A major study of 360,305 aged care residents (2017–2020) revealed:

• 1 in 5 residents had a significant oral health issue upon entering care A
• 19.6% entered aged care with at least one oral health concern A
• Over 5,000 residents were hospitalised due to dental or oral health problems A
• Nearly 25% of those hospitalisations were preventable with earlier intervention A
• Poor oral health was linked to increased risk of heart disease, pneumonia, and cognitive decline A

This underscores how remote screening like OWD can catch issues early, reduce hospitalisations, and support better systemic health.

🚜 Rural & Remote Care Statistics

From a cohort study of 3,407 rural patients receiving remote dental services:

• 27,897 dental services were completed across 8,992 patient episodes B
• Women were more likely to receive preventive and restorative care
• Men were more likely to receive oral surgery and prosthodontics
• Children aged 5–14 received over 32% of all services, showing strong uptake for youth screening B
• Many patients had to travel 60+ minutes for traditional dental care—remote options helped bridge that gap B

🧠 Why This Matters for OWD

These stats validate OWD’s model:

• Remote-first screening reduces unnecessary travel and stress
• Fast feedback helps facilities act before problems escalate
• Structured reporting supports compliance and care coordination
• Cost-effective access improves equity for underserved communities