PUBLICATION
The Power of Prevention: Using Novel Technology to Facilitate Oral Health and Hygiene Habits for People with IDD
Across Tennessee and the U.S., individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to face significant—and often preventable—oral health disparities. This pilot study, conducted by Harmony Health and the American Institute of Dental Public Health, explored the feasibility and early impact of integrating two digital oral health technologies, the Oral GenomeTM salivary point-of-care kit and the TruthBrushTM smart toothbrush attachment, across IDD populations in Tennessee. A total of 151 adults with IDD, aged 18 to 82, were enrolled in a pilot study across three care settings: IDD specialty care settings (63%), residential care facilities (21%), and traditional private dental practices (17%). The pilot evaluated caries and diabetes risk through salivary biomarkers, assessed home hygiene behaviors, and collected caregiver and provider feedback using digital tools.
Key Findings:
99% of participants were at moderate or high risk for dental caries, indicating widespread unmet preventive needs
Individuals in residential care facilities were significantly more likely to have high-risk iomarker results than those in private practice or specialty IDD care settings.
Participants who brushed twice daily for two minutes had 86.5% lower odds of being in the high-risk category.
The TruthBrushTM provided real-time brushing data to guide caregiver support, and the Oral GenomeTM test offered clinically aligned biomarker insights for targeted intervention.
Suggested Citation: Harmony Health and The American Institute of Dental Public Health. The Power of Prevention: Using Novel Technology to Facilitate Oral Health and Hygiene Habits for People with IDD. Chicago, IL: July 2025. Copyright ©2025 The American Institute of Dental Public Health and Harmony Health. https://doi.org/10.
