Innovative solution for older persons oral health

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN is supporting residential aged care homes (RACHs) to strengthen oral health care for older people across the region, commissioning an oral health initiative in participating RACHs delivered by Smilo.ai.

The program will use an AI-driven digital screening model to strengthen daily oral health practice, build staff capability, support early identification of concerns, improve referral pathways and embed oral health into residents’ care planning.  

Using the Smilo.ai app on a smartphone, staff can take internal photographs of the resident's mouth, and AI generates instant status reports. A dental practitioner then reviews the images and AI findings to provide clinical oversight and support accuracy.

Through our ongoing Health Needs Assessments with RACHs in the region, the PHN identified ongoing challenges in establishing effective care pathways and meeting oral health needs in residential aged care. Evidence shows poor oral health can lead to malnutrition, increased risk of infection, aspiration-related respiratory illness and avoidable hospital presentations.

Smilo.ai first partnered with the PHN in 2021 through the West Moreton Care Collaborative, where it delivered a pilot program with BlueCare in Flinders View.

Under the new program, eight participating RACHs will be placed at the forefront of innovative technology, using a multipronged approach to make oral health care more accessible for aged care residents.

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN CEO, Lucille Chalmers, said the program is about breaking down barriers, and ensuring that aged care staff are supported with the practical tools to identify and respond to oral health concerns early.

“Access to dental care can also be difficult due to cost, transport barriers, limited public dental capacity and long wait times, particularly for non-ambulant residents.

Smilo.ai is an example of how we’re looking to leverage technology and AI for good, bringing oral health support closer to home and ensuring that older people in our region can access care in the right place, at the right time,” said Ms Chalmers.

Implementation has commenced at Clifton Nursing Home, Beauaraba Living and Brassall Village Aged Care Facility with over 260 residents already screened.