ATSU-ASDOH receives grant to launch Text2Floss expansion

MESA, Ariz. – A.T. Still Univeristy’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) is proud to announce phase two of its Text2Floss initiative made possible by a generous grant received from DentaQuest Foundation’s Innovation Fund for Oral Health.

A total of $199,985 was awarded to support the Text2Floss project, which will fund its next phase of development. The proposal, An Innovative Option to Improve Oral Health Behavior, outlines a plan to advance and expand the platform’s HIPAA compliant and standard messaging system (SMS). The expansion introduces funding for an iPhone oral health app and integration of the Text2Floss SMS program with Dentrix Enterprise software. Both facets focus on the mission of raising awareness about the importance of oral health and to encourage flossing as an important daily hygiene habit and its impact to overall health.

The integration with Dentrix software will facilitate two-way messaging between patient mobile phones and electronic patient records, while the feature offered to iPhone users will create easier access to the Text2Floss text messaging program.

Both products will be pilot-tested at the ATSU-ASDOH-affiliated San Ysidro Health Center in San Diego County. A phase one pilot study was conducted in 2012 using the standard SMS technology.

“The phase two project will allow ATSU-ASDOH oral healthcare experts and its generous partners to continue collaborating to expand and refine this unique platform to promote healthy oral habits,” Tony Hashemian, DDS, Text2Floss founder and director, assistant dean, Global Oral Health at ATSU-ASDOH said. “We are excited, optimistic, and so grateful for the generosity of DentaQuest Foundation.”

The DentaQuest Foundation was established in 2000 with a mission to support and promote optimal oral health. The Foundation collaborates with partners in communities across the United States, connecting key stakeholders, raising awareness, and supporting solutions.

Also leading the Text2Floss initiative are ATSU-ASDOH partners CellTrust Corporation and RIESTER.

Contact ATSU Communication & Marketing for more information.