TELEDENTISTRY

Ever think dentists might deliver care outside the confines of a physical operatory?  The time for doing so has arrived.  In 2012, the ADA House of Delegates first issued policy guidelines on Teledentistry, primarily addressing technical aspects of virtual dental services.  In November 2015, the ADA House passed Resolution 45H-2015, Comprehensive ADA Policy Statement on Teledentistry.  This resolution outlines patients’ expectations and rights, workforce licensure, and payment concerns.

Providing services via Teledentistry tickles one’s imagination, considering the provider may be across town or even hundreds of miles away, on a computer screen instead of chairside.  The number of ways for dentists, allied dental personnel, and patients to interact is growing quickly. 

Currently Teledentistry includes:  

·         Live video exchanges between a dentist and a patient or between providers using audiovisuals such as Skype or FaceTime.

·         Secure electronic transmission of patient records---health history, photos, x-rays, digital impressions, etc.---allows an off-site dentist to evaluate a patient’s condition and recommend treatment; i.e., remote diagnosis and case presentation followed by services delivered during a hands-on appointment.

·         Public Health practice and education can be delivered via mobile communication devices that include apps that teach and monitor homecare regimens.

·         Residents in nursing homes or other residential care facilities, people in rural areas with no access to dental care, community dental events---people in these and similar circumstances will benefit enormously from remote patient monitoring possible with Teledentistry.  Their cleanings, fluoride application, sealants and so on can be delivered by a virtually-supervised dental auxiliary with services from a dentist provided in person as needed.    

The ADA House Resolution further stipulates that auxiliaries participating in Teledentistry must be licensed and supervised in accordance with the state practice act of the state in which the patient receives services and the supervising dentist is licensed.  Additionally, the Resolution states that third party payers and dental benefit plans should reimburse Teledentistry services at the same rate as in-person services.   Earlier the state of California moved a step ahead in mandating similar payments when the legislature passed laws directing the state’s Medicaid program to reimburse providers for Teledentistry services on the same scale as in-person delivered services.