Teledentistry- Dentist A Call Away: A Review Article

Abstract

Abstract: Dentistry involves close face-to-face interaction with patients, hence during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has mostly been suspended. Teledentistry can offer an innovative solution to resume dental practice during this pandemic. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the applications of teledentistry. Methods: Articles on teledentistry, relevant to this review, were searched and consulted from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. Results: Teledentistry is the remote facilitating of dental treatment, guidance, and education via the use of information technology instead of direct face-to-face contact with patients. Teleconsultation, telediagnosis, tele-triage, and telemonitoring are subunits of teledentistry that have important functions relevant to dental practice. There are many challenges for the acceptance of teledentistry by dentists as well as patients, which need to be addressed urgently. Conclusion: Teledentistry can offer a novel solution to resume dental practice during the current pandemic, hence, the need of the hour is to incorporate teledentistry into routine dental practice. If not fully replace, at least teledentistry can complement the existing compromised dental system during the current pandemic. Teledentistry is the remote facilitating of dental guidance, treatment, and education through the use of information technology instead of direct face-to-face contact with patients. Teleconsultation, telediagnosis, tele-triaging, and telemonitoring are subunits of teledentistry that have important functions relevant to dental practice. There are many challenges to acceptance of this technology by the dentists as well as patients, which need to be addressed urgently. Teledentistry can offer an innovative solution to resume dental practice during this pandemic in our Asian population. This article reviews the origin, rationale, scope, basis, and requirements for teledentistry, along with the current evidence that exists in the literature, and illustrates how the digital transformation will strongly aid oral medicine specialists and their patients.