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By: Amy Charles | January 28, 2026
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) to support a research initiative to improve access to pediatric dental care in Central Appalachia through innovative teledentistry solutions.
The grant will fund a mixed-methods research project to identify barriers that prevent children with dental benefits, including Medicaid and KCHIP, from receiving routine dental care. The study will also pilot and evaluate teledentistry as a tool to overcome access challenges in rural and underserved communities. The TCDM project will examine both structural and individual-level barriers, such as provider shortages, transportation challenges, health literacy and cultural perceptions of dental care.
“This grant allows us to take a meaningful step toward addressing long-standing pediatric oral health disparities in Central Appalachia,” said Jill Keaton, DMD, MS, DABOP, FAAOP, dean of TCDM. “By combining rigorous research with real-world teledentistry applications, we can better understand why access gaps persist and, more importantly, develop solutions that meet children and families where they are.”
The project will collect data through surveys of parents and caregivers, community focus groups, dental claims analysis and a pilot teledentistry program conducted in partnership with local organizations. Findings will help inform policy recommendations and service delivery models designed to improve pediatric dental utilization and outcomes across the region.
As part of the initiative, first-year students at TCDM will participate in the research through their public health and research coursework, gaining hands-on experience in community-based dental public health, data collection and teledentistry technology. This integration reinforces the college’s mission to prepare future dental professionals to serve underserved populations through innovative, patient-centered care.
The Tanner College of Dental Medicine received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation in August 2025 and will welcome its inaugural class in June 2026. The college’s accelerated three-year DMD program and planned state-of-the-art facility position UPIKE to play a critical role in addressing oral health needs throughout Central Appalachia.
Research findings from the grant-funded project will be shared through academic publications, conference presentations and policy briefs to support broader adoption of effective teledentistry strategies in rural communities nationwide.