Utilization of Dental Photography for Treatment Planning and Developing Patient Consultations

Abstract

Digital Dental Photography is the new standard of care [1]. The internet generation is looking for more from their service providers and dental practitioners are looking for ways to increase productivity by way of increasing treatment acceptance and being more efficient in providing treatment. Patients and practitioners benefit from treatment that is faster, easier, and more predictable. Utilization of photography to assist in the diagnosis of dental conditions, treatment planning and creating a patient consultation that is organized and user friendly for both the dental team and easy to understand by our patients with the end result of garnering informed consent through improved patient education, discussion, and understanding of their dental condition including presentation of the treatment options that are available to them. Often, simply by marking the photograph by circling the areas of concern (Figures 1 and 2) help create a much more comprehensive approach to treatment planning. This system also provides a clinical record of what has been presented and discussed with the patient to be kept for future reference if ever required.