PUBLICATION
Perceptions of Dental Care Experiences and Health Technology Readiness in Tennessee
Tennesseans deserve good oral health and well-being. Oral healthcare access and outcome metrics indicate that Tennesseans struggle to maintain optimal oral health, pay too much out of pocket for care, and often do not access or utilize dental care effectively. Poor oral health often creates poor overall health, generating cardiovascular concerns, exacerbating diabetes, and even impacting employability. Certain marginalized groups, like people with disabilities, are often more impacted by social and structural barriers to dental care, as a result, have disproportionately poorer oral health outcomes. This project sought to understand self-reported oral health behaviors, assess readiness for technology-supported oral healthcare, and identify pervasive oral healthcare barriers that Tennesseans experience.
Key Takeaways:
One in five (21.0%) respondents reported dental pain or infection during the past year, and a similar proportion (18.8%) reported self-medication to manage a dental problem.
Use of emergency medical settings for dental problems was also substantial: 12.2% of respondents reported seeking care in an emergency department or urgent care center, a rate more than twice the national average for non-traumatic dental visits.
Medicaid beneficiaries reported the highest engagement with healthcare technology, with 82.7% indicating frequent use of technology for health improvement and 89.7% expressing a desire for additional technology options for at-home dental care.
Respondents with disabilities reported high levels of technology use and comfort. 74.5% indicated frequent use of technology to improve their health, and 79.6% wanted more technology options to support dental care at home. 71.8% believed that receiving feedback from a health app or device could help them improve their dental health, and 84.5% felt comfortable using healthcare technology in their homes.
Suggested Citation: The American Institute of Dental Public Health and Harmony Health Foundation. Perceptions of Dental Care Experiences and Health Technology Readiness in Tennessee. Chicago, IL: November 2025. https://doi.org/10.58677/CNRQ1093
