Are Virtual Dental Visits Here To Stay?

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic many industries and organizations have been forced to adapt and fast track digital transformation to continue providing services. Schools have adopted remote learning, many employees are working from home and dentists are using teledentistry services to consult patients. Although some businesses may revert to their former practices after the pandemic, many others will leverage new technology to provide additional benefits and attract new customers and patients.

What is teledentistry?

During the height of the pandemic, many dentists had to postpone elective and non-urgent dental procedures. In an effort to continue offering services, albeit limited, dentists had to adopt teledentistry (virtual dental visits) to reach patients. It was used typically for patients with dental problems in order to decide whether a face-to-face dental appointment was needed and in some cases keep in touch and follow up with patients after appointments. Now, it has evolved to where this is now how some dentists conduct initial consultations for patients before being seen in person.

Teledentistry has allowed patients and doctors to speak with each without risking exposure to the virus.

Benefits of Teledentistry

Teledentistry was already in place but many dentist were very slow to adopt it. However, the pandemic brought to light the many benefits of it. It is not hard to see how its adoption could continue to rise and be a mainstay in practices. Teledentistry:

1. Improves access to care: Patients in rural areas, who are home-bound and the elderly may have trouble finding and getting to a dentist. Tele dentistry helps to break down those barriers and gives these patients a chance to see and talk to a dentist about their dental problems.

2. Is Convenient: In essence, it cuts down time away from work and thus helps patients to stay employed and avoid loss of income.

3. Reduces cost: In may practices, virtual consultations are free of charge and subsequent appointments are of a lower cost to the patient. Seeing a patient remotely also means the dentist does not have to use up valuable resources like gloves, masks, gowns, other supplies and chair time.

4. Less intimidating: Many individuals experience dental anxiety when going to the dentist. Being able to speak with or see a dentist in the comfort of your own home is a far more comfortable experience.

5. Frees up dentists’ time for clinical work: Many patients have minor dental problems that do not need face-to-face time with the dentist. If using teledentistry can address those problems, dentists would have far more time to treat patients whose needs they can treat only in a face-too-face visit. 

6. Improves oral hygiene education: One of the key advantages of teledentistry is the chance to educate patients on good oral hygiene practices. Teaching patients to brush and floss, providing education and giving advice about health concerns can all be done using teledentistry.

How Teledentistry Works

It’s never been easier to be able to communicate with a dentist and there are several methods of delivering dental care via teledentistry. A dentist and patient can use their computer with video that allows them to speak directly to each other or they can do so via an app with can be downloaded to their smartphone. With each option, the patient can take pictures of their teeth and smile so that the dentist can make treatment recommendations in real time. Doctors can also use it to communicate with each other (sending X-rays, photographs, etc) about mutual patients as most of these programs are HIPAA compliant.

Here To Stay

Because of the it’s advantages (listed above) and the effects of the pandemic of the field of dentistry, delivery of dental care via teledentistry has enormous potential, and thus I believe it is here to stay. Widespread internet access and the proliferation of smart phones also make it very easy to implement and adopt.

What are your thoughts?