What happens when two powerful “forces” merge? It depends but in the case of teledentistry and artificial intelligence (AI) the results will speak for themselves.
The evolution of technology is a common topic here. For example, here’s a micro-progression:
- From telehealth/telemedicine to teledentistry
- From teledentistry to mobile dentistry
And now…
- Teledentistry supported by AI
Common problems…available solutions
Access to dental care, systemic oral health, and reducing adverse risks are among the common problems dentistry is equipped to solve. Technology has the capacity to support those solutions.
Priorities aside, the issue of care access has to be addressed. The following from a 2020 survey report outlines this specific problem.
- ”Oral health disparities in rural areas are due to factors such as workforce shortages and dental health insurance coverage on top of the geographic and social factors that affect the health outcomes of rural people broadly.”
- ”Seniors in rural areas are less likely than their suburban or urban
counterparts to have visited the dentist in the past year and more likely to have all their teeth removed due to decay or gum disease, according to a 2018 report.” - ”There are fewer dental health professionals in rural areas resulting in people having to travel farther to obtain oral healthcare.”
- ”Approximately 60% of the nation's Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas are in rural America, according to a 2020 report.” [1]
Alongside access to dental care are issues related to an understanding of systemic oral health and the associated risks due to lack of care and awareness. Teledentistry with support from AI is helping solve these challenges.
How teledentistry and AI can enhance care access and oral health awareness
Provide hands-on dental care access
App-based technology has helped eliminate the barriers to preferred services. From dining to transportation to entertainment to shopping you’re accustomed to clickable access on your smart device or personal computer.
And barring any internet connectivity problems location isn’t an issue.
Teledentistry and AI technology is equipped to provide personal access to oral health services. Rural patients like urban and suburban patients can utilize available diagnostic technology to share their oral health condition and engage with providers in real-time.
- Synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (stored) teledentistry provides virtual oral health consultations and education.
- Images from patients can be securely uploaded and delivered via an AI supported digital portal.
- Providers and patients can discuss diagnostic details and interact with images to determine next step treatment solutions.
- An improved patient experience (begun digitally) can improve case acceptance and treatment outcomes.
Maximize time and resources for patients and providers
Location isn’t the only barrier to dental care. There are also time, cost, and insurance hurdles.
Teledentistry and AI create a somewhat seamless care environment for those inclined to save time, cost, and/or who are comfortable with an initial online dental consultation.
- Virtual triage and diagnostic evaluations can eliminate otherwise time-consuming or costly appointments.
- Virtual appointment data can be stored, shared, and referenced as necessary to assure the best care solution.
- Virtual consultations give providers an alternative to interact with patients remotely rather than relying on their in-office presence.
Time and cost savings help reduce a common point of resistance for patients who would otherwise postpone or avoid dental care. And providers gain another patient connection point while preserving their team and practice resources.
Mine and use patient data to improve oral health
Data itself isn’t lacking. What is (lacking) often has to do with extracting valuable data-points that could support ongoing patient care.
Your dental practice management database contains vital information about each patient’s care journey. AI has the capacity to extract those data-points along with limitless global data-points and align them with treatment planning, patient education, and a preventive care focus.
An asynchronous teledentistry platform provides patients access to their own data and other useful oral health information. AI searches and extracts those data-points and teledentistry provides the virtual access.
The interface between teledentistry and AI will continue to evolve. It’s a powerful and effective technology merger that benefits you (as a provider) and your patient’s access to care.
Check out these resources for practical insight into how teledentistry is helping bridge care gaps and supporting dental providers:
What Are the Core Best Practices for Teledentistry Success?
Follow the Basics for a Sustainable Teledentistry UX
Telendentistry and AI synergy works best on a dedicated, secure, full-capacity teledentistry platform
Teledentix is an innovative, turn-key teledentistry solution created by Virtual Dental Care. The all-in-one platform will enable you to adapt teledentistry to your patient care and extend your services beyond the walls of your dental practice…and improve your patient care in the process.
- Teledentix provides an easy-to-use video conferencing tool that’s secure, HIPAA compliant, and specific to dentistry.
- Teledentix Basic is a perfect starting point. Begin with a free trial and then transition to a very low monthly fee. You and your patients can join unlimited video conferences including screen-share, file-share, video-share, and real-time chat communications.
LEARN MORE about the Teledentix platform.
