MouthWatch, Inc. and Dentistry.One, LLC have opened nominations for the 2026 Teledentistry Innovation Awards, also known as the Tellie Awards, and announced a new Medical-Dental Innovator category recognizing initiatives that use teledentistry and virtual care to integrate oral healthcare with broader healthcare delivery.
Now in its ninth year, the Tellie Awards recognize individuals, institutions, and organizations implementing virtual care models to expand access to oral healthcare and improve patient outcomes. According to the organizers, the new Medical-Dental Innovator category reflects growing interest in integrating oral health into whole-person care.
The organizers said the category will recognize providers, organizations, and initiatives using teledentistry and virtual care to bridge medical and dental care through approaches such as oral health screenings in medical settings, coordinated referrals, and care models that connect oral health with systemic health.
“When we launched the Tellies nine years ago, teledentistry was still finding its footing. Today, it’s an essential part of care delivery, and the awards have grown alongside it,” said Brant Herman, co-founder and CEO of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “The Tellies honor the innovators who prove what’s possible: greater access, better outcomes, and a more connected model of care. Our new Medical-Dental Innovator category recognizes the next frontier, where oral health and overall health come together.”
The 2026 Tellie Awards will recognize innovation in six categories: Dentist/Specialist Innovator for general practitioners and specialists using teledentistry to enhance clinical workflows or patient experiences; Dental Hygiene Innovator for hygienists expanding access to preventive care and strengthening patient relationships through teledentistry; Oral Health Program Innovator for public health initiatives, dental support organizations, nonprofit organizations, and community programs using virtual care to improve access and care coordination; Educational Institution Innovator for dental and dental hygiene schools incorporating teledentistry into education and outreach; Industry Innovator for individuals and organizations advancing dentistry through technologies, partnerships, or systems involving teledentistry; and the new Medical-Dental Innovator category.
According to the organizers, each winner will receive a $1,000 grant to support their work, recognition during the Tellie Awards ceremony at the Greater New York Dental Meeting, and national media coverage.
Nominations, including self-nominations, will be accepted through October 15, 2026, at tellieawards.com. Winners will be announced during the 2026 Greater New York Dental Meeting, scheduled for November 27 through December 1.
MouthWatch develops digital technology for dental professionals, including intraoral cameras and its TeleDent software platform. According to the company, its products are used in more than 48,000 dental practices, more than 40 dental service organizations, and over 100 dental and hygiene schools. Dentistry.One, developed by MouthWatch, provides a virtual-first oral health platform that includes AI-assisted screening, virtual consultations, care coordination, and a collaborative practice hygiene network.
More information is available at https://tellieawards.com.
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