New teledentistry partnership provides efficient screenings, connects children in need with dental care
Somerville, Mass., 09/24/2025 – ForsythKids, a dental care outreach program supporting the mission of global oral health research and innovation leader the ADA Forsyth Institute, visits schools throughout Massachusetts, providing preventive care, oral health education, and connections to dentists. Most children need preventive dental care, while others depend on referrals to dentists or orthodontists to address acute needs.
A new teledentistry collaboration between ForsythKids and New York-based medical technology innovator Grin, a nationwide leader in digital oral health solutions, will provide a timely detection tool to bring kids closer to necessary dental care with strong opportunities for engagement in care for families.
Technology provided by Grin has been piloted by ForsythKids for visits this summer to Camp Harborview on Long Island in Boston Harbor. With staff trained to use the technology, ForsythKids director Megan Pugach-Gordon, Ph.D., is confident the new technology will enhance patient engagement, speed up dental examination, and increase referrals to dentists – leading to better oral health outcomes in underserved communities.
“Grin’s technology is a game-changer for our program,” said Dr. Pugach-Gordon. “We can more readily meet critical oral health needs in communities across Massachusetts while promoting engagement with care.”
“We’re proud to partner with ForsythKids to bring cutting-edge teledentistry to communities where access has historically been limited,” said Pamela Oren-Artzi, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Grin. “By combining Grin’s technology with ForsythKids’ trusted outreach, we can transform the way children receive preventive care and connect with providers.”
Grin will equip ForsythKids’ staff with its FDA-registered Grin Scope® to capture a high-quality, 60-second intraoral scan. This intraoral scan provides a screening that can provide useful information for dental professionals to examine oral health issues such as cavities, gum disease, and other oral conditions. The application can potentially track mouth health over time using AI. This digital screening, enhanced by AI, detects conditions like cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease earlier and more accurately, supporting timely care and better outcomes.
The scan can be taken by ForsythKids staff or school nurses to provide useful information about a child’s possible dental needs.
ForsythKids treated about 3,000 kids during the 2024-25 school year. Dr. Pugach-Gordon thinks Grin’s technology can significantly increase the program’s ability to screen more kids. This collaboration reflects Grin’s broader mission to close gaps in oral health equity by integrating technology into public health programs at scale.
In 2025, ForsythKids secured generous funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, continuing a long-term relationship with the state in pursuing important public health goals.
“I’m incredibly proud of the House’s support for the ForsythKids program in past budgets, and for this new partnership, which will connect more children with necessary dental care,” said Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank the folks at ForsythKids and Grin for the work that they continue to do for children in Massachusetts.”
Although tooth decay is preventable, it affects nearly 46% of children in the U.S. Chronic pain caused by dental diseases can lead to lack of attention in the classroom, problems eating and speaking, low self-esteem, and long-term health consequences.
ADA Forsyth and Grin are grateful for a grant provided by Delta Dental of Massachusetts to make this collaboration possible.
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About the ADA Forsyth Institute
The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.
About Grin
Grin is a comprehensive digital platform that provides solutions for all oral health needs. The Grin App and Grin Scope® allow doctors to access a full patient management suite. Patients can access quality professional care from the convenience of their smart devices. Doctors can remotely monitor patients via virtual check-ins for complete visibility—reducing chair time, increasing patient volume, and ensuring safety and beautiful smile results. To learn more about Grin, you can visit www.get-grin.com.
