Teledentistry
Teledentistry connects patients and providers remotely, offering a convenient and increasingly viable care option.
An Introduction to Teledentistry
Going to the dentist’s office is not always feasible or desirable. Many people in the US encounter barriers to accessing oral health care: They may live in locations with few providers, lack transportation options, or have work schedules that make it difficult to visit the dentist. These barriers are often the largest for underserved populations — including those who live in rural areas and those in communities of color.
Without access to regular, preventive dental care, those populations often face mounting challenges: Minor dental problems can become severe and urgent and, in turn, lead to costly visits to the emergency department. And research continues to show that poor oral health can hurt overall health, reducing the quality of life for many.
There is no one solution for all these problems, but one key innovation has been gaining traction: teledentistry.
Forms of Teledentistry
Two-way, “real-time” interaction between a dental provider and a patient, their caregiver, or another provider.
Patient care can be facilitated by transmitting photos, videos, X-rays, or other recorded information via a secure electronic system to a provider who reviews the information and/or updates a patient’s treatment plan.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):
Personal health or medical data is collected from an individual in a different location, allowing a health provider to monitor a vital sign or condition.
Smartphones or other mobile devices can be used in various ways, such as enabling people to test the pH of their saliva, which affects their risk of tooth decay.
The Value of Teledentistry
Teledentistry enables providers to triage patients, reserving office visits for those who need them most, while providing oral hygiene advice, prescriptions, or other services virtually as appropriate. Remote visits offer a safe alternative during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, but because of their numerous advantages, they are also becoming a permanent part of the oral health system. Feedback from patients who have tried teledentistry has been overwhelmingly positive.
Teledentistry can also be a valuable tool for dentists who care for people with disabilities. The patient can have a teledentistry appointment before they come in for an appointment, so that dentists know the patient’s needs and dental treatment history ahead of time.
Teledentistry can also save money. The cost of treating patients via teledentistry costs less annually than treating dental patients seen in person. And using teledentistry to connect patients with dental providers could help ease the demands on emergency departments — creating more capacity for other cases and reducing wait times.
Stats
76%
The majority (76%) of teledentistry visits were synchronous audio (phone call).
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56M
More than 56 million people in the US live in areas with a shortage of dental professionals.
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4%
Only 4% of adults have had a teledentistry visit, but most (71%) of those adults would use this technology again if offered.
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11%
In one study, the cost of treating patients via teledentistry was 11% less annually than dental patients seen in person.
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The Future of Teledentistry
While teledentistry has proven to be a viable alternative, it still has a long way to go. State governments can do much more to create a supportive environment for teledentistry. For example, states can update reimbursement policies, clarify legal issues, and facilitate sharing patient information.
By thinking beyond the traditional visit to the dentist’s office, and taking advantage of new technologies, we can remove barriers to accessing dental care — and come one step closer to ensuring access for all.