Innovative Solution Overview

The Tele-Dentistry Oral Care for Seniors (T-DOCS) Programme is an NDCS-led initiative that improves access to preventive oral healthcare for dependent older adults in nursing homes, community hospitals and home care settings.By combining portable intraoral imaging and tele-dentistry, T-DOCS enables dental assessments to be conducted remotely, reducing the need for frail seniors to travel unnecessarily for initial screening. The programme supports early detection of oral disease, more timely referral and improved access to dental care for underserved older adults in the community.

Implemented through a growing network of community partners, T-DOCS represents a scalable model for community-based oral healthcare in Singapore.

Care Model & Workflow

T-DOCS operates through a collaborative, community-based model involving care teams, dental professionals and community partners. Trained nurses or care staff capture intraoral images using portable devices, which are then transmitted securely for remote review by dental professionals.

Tele-screening provides visual evidence of oral health issues, enabling dentists to assess needs remotely, prioritise referrals and plan clinic-based treatment more efficiently. It also supports ongoing monitoring and follow-up by allowing changes in oral health status to be reviewed over time (Figure 1). This model improves access to oral healthcare, supports timely triage and strengthens care coordination across nursing homes, community hospitals and home care settings.