How Teledentistry Can Benefit Dental Needs

Rural areas continue to suffer yearly from the lack of economic welfare, and there has been a driving need for higher-paying jobs to maintain a living. However, many orthodontists graduating from college have found themselves in significant debt, making rural areas less appealing for income. However, there's a need for orthodontic treatment no matter where you go. 

Whether you're addressing concerns with a tooth needing a crown or correcting any dental misalignments, you'll need a dental professional to deliver this kind of care. However, locations may inhibit access to this crucial form of care in areas with lesser populations and reduced income. Teledentistry is a form of care working to fill that gap, making crucial care accessible anywhere patients might live.

How Teledentistry Can Benefit Dental Needs
Teledentistry can efficiently address the expanding gap between low-income rural areas and dental care. This ability to address the gap is done by reshaping the connection between clinics and their patient families utilizing telecommunications. 

It provides noticeable patient benefits, including reduced or no travel time, minimized care costs, and flexible communication with their providers. Telehealth has been around nearly as long as the telephone itself. The rise of COVID-19 propelled teledentistry out of obscurity and into ordinary conversation. Access to dental care and delivery methods have been improving, as have the overall costs for oral healthcare in underserved communities.

At first glance, it's understandable if teledentistry doesn't appear useful on the surface. But modern dental technology has dramatically enhanced the effectiveness of this form of care, and there are multiple areas in which teledentistry can provide care options for patients and dentists alike:

• Diagnostic Assistance: Dentists can use photographs and video calling to perform follow-ups and basic triage over digital devices. In many areas, it's possible to go to a local third-party facility for imaging, the results of which will be transmitted to your dentist. 
• Orthodontic Treatments: Many new forms of orthodontic care can be accomplished remotely, particularly translucent aligners. Dentists may send a mail-in dental impression kit to their patients. After following the included directions, they can mail the kit back to their dentist. The dentist will then evaluate the kit and ship it off to a lab to make the aligners— without a visit to the dental office.
• Instant Access To Temporary Dental Care: Those experiencing dental emergencies can receive an immediate diagnosis and care through video calls on mobile or computers. First, dentists can provide response medication, and patients can be instructed on at-home care techniques until they can see their dentist. Dentists can often perform the full range of needed care remotely.

Consult With Your Dental Provider For More Information
Every year more clinics are adopting additional teledental treatment options for their patients. You can reach out to your provider to get information about their services. While you're at it, schedule your next bi-annual visit so you can take steps to get the proper care. You may discover that long drives and inconvenient appointment dates and times are no longer a part of your dental care routine.