(MOUNDS VIEW, Minnesota; November 29, 2022) – Teledentistry isn’t a new concept, but it wasn’t widely employed until COVID-19 forced dental clinics across Minnesota to limit care to urgent cases only. While Apple Tree Dental has used the virtual dental care approach for more than 18 years ago working in collaboration with community sites, the pandemic prompted them to explore new and innovative ways to apply the modality. Now, the nonprofit dental organization’s groundbreaking approach has earned it peer recognition as MouthWatch -- a company that produces equipment used for teledentistry -- named Apple Tree Dental the 2022 recipient of its Teledentistry Innovation Award in the Dental Organization category.
The MouthWatch review panel noted it was “impressed by [Apple Tree’s] use of teledentistry and how it reveals the innovative change possible through virtual care.” The review panel also said, “We admire your mission to provide dental services to those that face barriers to receiving care, your commitment to innovation, and an outstanding team who can drive adoption.” The award was presented to Apple Tree Dental on November 28 at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in New York City.