Name
Teledentistry: An essential technology during crisis and recovery
Date & Time
Saturday, October 10, 2020, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Cindy Purdy Eden Ivie
Description

Objectives: 

  • Recognize teledentistry as a means to improve patient outcomes and practice growth
  • Share objectives from Healthy People 2030 that focus on teledentistry as a dental health care delivery model
  • Describe the 4 modalities of teledentistry as specifically related to dental hygiene practices
  • Explore the different ways each modality can be used now and going forward

Acceptance of telecommunication technology has advanced by 10 years in the last 6 months. Teledentistry was once viewed as an emerging technology; it has now become essential. Integrating telecommunications technology into practices and programs helps alleviate many of the pressures placed on dental providers during this global pandemic and will continue to increase the standard of care. The ADA has identified 4 modalities of teledentistry which can be used to facilitate dental care.  While these modalities vary vastly in use cases, they can all be used to improve patient oral health outcomes, increase patient satisfaction and engagement, improve provider workflow, and increase staff efficiency.