COVID-19 has forced almost all businesses, from multinational corporations to small businesses, to work remotely. As the pandemic spreads, it’s essential to limit person-to-person contact as much as possible; however, dentistry requires close examination of the teeth, and that's not easy to do remotely.
However, dental clinics have made use of online tools to complement how they provide their services while ensuring patient and staff safety. They do this through teledentistry.
Teleconsultations
Teledentistry is not a specific device or program used by dental clinics to communicate and treat patients. Instead, it’s the different methods clinics use to conduct consultations with their patients remotely.
These include live video, recorded video, documents such as radiographs and photographs, and instant communication through mobile phones.
Teleconsultations have been extremely useful when dealing with patients with pre-existing conditions or advanced age. Both groups are more susceptible to experience complications with COVID-19.
Additionally, teleconsultations have been found to reduce patients coming in for more minor dental problems that can be delayed.
Telediagnosis
In situations where it’s impossible to have a face-to-face examination (like during a pandemic), teledentistry services can also diagnose oral illnesses. Through the communication of images and data, a dentist can identify tooth decay and cavities in a patient. This can indicate whether the problem the patient is facing is severe enough for a face-to-face examination. Furthermore, consultations can also help determine the presence and stage of gum disease through visual images and videos.
Lastly, studies have found that teledentistry can also detect malignant forms of oral lesions. As most oral lesions are identified using dental photography, a physical examination was deemed unnecessary during COVID-19.
Teletriage and Telemonitoring
Before the pandemic, visiting the dentist meant waiting in the triage area for your turn. However, CDC guidelines and public safety concerns make that impossible. However, online tools have proven extremely useful in conducting triage services to prioritize those who need to visit a dentist immediately. This can help clinics keep track of who’s in their clinic and properly maintain social distancing by only allowing emergency cases.
Telehealth services also help dentists monitor their patients without them having to visit the clinic. For example, if someone has had a teeth extraction, the dentist can use images and video conferencing to check up on the patient's progress in the days and weeks after the procedure. Telemonitoring has also been found to reduce costs and waiting times for both patients and clinics.
Are you looking for a clinic that provides reputable dental care in Germantown? Look no further than Advanced Dental Center, which is a leading provider of dental care in Germantown. Our teledentistry services will ensure you get the dental help you need while ensuring maximum safety. Contact us now to know more.
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