What is teledentistry?

Teledentistry is a way for dentists to consult with patients remotely through the internet. A form of telehealth, teledentistry is typically used for providing follow-up care, educating patients on dental health and hygiene, and planning future and ongoing treatments.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), teledentistry takes the form of four main modalities:

1. Live-Video (Synchronous)
   1. Communication between a patient and a dentist or other dental provider via live video and/or audio feed.
2. Store and Forward (Asynchronous)
   1. Transmission of dental imaging or other recorded health information through a communications system to a provider who uses the data to diagnose and treat a patient without live interaction.
3. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
   1. Collection of personal health and medical data from a person that is transmitted to a provider for monitoring.
4. Mobile Health
   1. Public health education and practice supported through cell phones, tablets, computers, and other forms of technology available to a patient.

What states allow teledentistry?

Teledentistry regulations differ from state to state—some states allow for synchronous teledentistry, some allow for asynchronous and synchronous teledentistry, and some don’t allow either.

These states allow for synchronous teledentistry only, according to the Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC):

• Alabama
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Ohio
• Wisconsin

These states allow for both synchronous and asynchronous teledentistry:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Four states, Kansas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina do not allow synchronous or asynchronous teledentistry.

What are the two types of teledentistry?

There are actually four main modalities of teledentistry as explained above (synchronous, asynchronous, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health), but the two main types of teledentistry are synchronous and asynchronous.

Synchronous teledentistry refers to the live interaction between a dental provider and a patient through audiovisual technology. Oftentimes this takes the form of video conferencing.

Asynchronous teledentistry refers to the practice of sending patient health data, such as medical imaging, to a provider for their use in developing care plans for a patient in non-real-time.

What can a teledentist do?

It depends highly on the state in which the dentist is practicing, but typically, teledentists offer a range of virtual dental services, bringing expert care right to a patient’s computer screen. They can:

• Conduct initial consultations and assessments
• Provide emergency dental advice
• Offer second opinions on treatment plans
• Prescribe medications for dental pain or infections
• Monitor post-treatment progress
• Educate patients on oral hygiene practices
• Recommend appropriate in-person follow-ups

While teledentists can’t perform physical procedures remotely, they play a crucial role in triage, education, and ongoing dental care management, making quality dental advice more accessible than ever.

How To Be a Teledentist

Becoming a teledentist combines dental expertise with digital healthcare delivery. Here’s how to get started:

• Obtain a dental degree and license
• Gain clinical experience in traditional dentistry
• Familiarize yourself with telemedicine laws and regulations
• Invest in high-quality telehealth equipment and software
• Develop strong virtual communication skills
• Learn to conduct thorough remote assessments
• Stay updated on the latest teledentistry technologies and practices
• Build a network with other healthcare providers for referrals
• Create clear protocols for virtual consultations and follow-ups
• Continuously educate yourself on best practices in teledentistry

Embracing teledentistry allows you to expand your reach and provide valuable dental care to patients who might otherwise struggle to access it.

What are the positives of teledentistry?

Teledentistry offers numerous benefits for both patients and dental professionals:

• Improved Access: Reaches patients in remote areas or with mobility issues
• Convenience: Consultations from the comfort of home, saving time and travel
• Cost-Effective: Reduces overhead costs for providers and patients
• Efficient Triage: Quickly assesses urgency and need for in-person care
• Reduced Anxiety: Less stressful for patients fearful of dental visits
• Flexible Scheduling: Easier to fit appointments into busy lifestyles
• Continuity of Care: Enables regular check-ins and follow-ups

Teledentistry is revolutionizing dental care, making it more accessible, efficient, and patient-friendly than ever before.

What are the negatives of teledentistry?

While teledentistry offers many benefits, it’s important to consider its limitations:

• Limited Physical Examination: Cannot perform hands-on assessments or treatments
• Technology Dependence: Requires reliable internet and appropriate devices
• Diagnostic Challenges: Some conditions may be difficult to assess remotely
• Insurance Issues: Not all dental plans cover teledentistry services
• Regulatory Hurdles: Varying laws and regulations across different regions
• mergency Limitations: Cannot handle immediate physical interventions

While teledentistry is a valuable tool, it’s important to recognize these challenges and use it as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional dental care.

Who benefits from teledentistry?

Both patients and dental providers benefit from teledentistry, as it allows for patients to access dental care regardless of their physical location and for dentists to maintain continuity of patient care.

Teledentistry is especially effective in reaching marginalized populations without consistent access to dental healthcare, such as those who live in dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), which includes around 60 million Americans according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. Oftentimes, these people live in rural areas where dental healthcare infrastructure is lacking.