Teledentistry Essay

Summary Teledentistry is a tool to help providers care for patients that are traditionally plagued with barriers to oral health services. Teledentistry is defined by an oral health provider in one location, utilizing telecommunication technologies to exchange clinical information with a patient or specialist in another geographic location. The scope of application used for telecommunications is diverse, examples include teleconferencing, sharing clinical data, or capturing live images. The exchange of clinical information allows the patient access to a dental consult or treatment plan remotely. Teledentistry helps to overcome barriers, to increase access to care for the underserved population. This includes patients who have unique health

“Rather than a rigid academic or technical pursuit, clinical informatics is a practical discipline that improves patient outcomes, advances medical research, and increases the value of healthcare delivery” (Jen, Mechanic, & Teoli, Informatics 2022) Telemedicine is a health informatics tool that actively communicates clinical information, improving the efficiency of healthcare. As mentioned earlier, Teledentistry, is simply a specialty or extension of telemedicine, with its focus on oral health. “Teledentistry can be defined as using technology to connect oral health providers in one location to patients in different locations. These oral health providers can be dentists, hygienists, assistants, or dental therapists. Further, teledentistry is not a procedure; instead, it is a term used to describe the way that we communicate.” (Howell & Fukuoka, Dental Clinics in North America 2022)

Telemedicine is being used throughout the world today, in hospitals for providers to network internationally and connect with underdeveloped countries. Advances in

Teledentistry is simply another tool in the dentist's toolbox, to improve oral health care. “Approximately 1 in 4 adults have disabilities, and the level of disability varies. When considering dental care in this population, those with more severe disabilities typically have greater levels of oral disease.” (Howell & Fukuoka, Dental Clinics in North America 2022) Teledentistry allows oral health providers to bring dental consultations and treatment planning to a disabled patient. Increasing the likelihood of treatment resolution, patient satisfaction and integration of specialty oral health