Teledentistry is a method of providing oral health education, care, and consultation through a virtual platform.
Teledentistry is not a specific service, but rather an alternative way to deliver and coordinate dental care. Similar to telemedicine, a dental provider can use a virtual platform to conduct a teledentistry visit with a patient or connect virtually with another provider. This offers several benefits to both patient and provider, including:
- Eliminates transportation to the office for the patient, making care more convenient and accessible
- Improves dental office efficiency by ensuring providers are working at the top of their license
- Allows for improved continuity of care and more opportunities to build a trusting relationship between patient and provider
Teledentistry in Virginia Implementation Toolkit
The Teledentistry in Virginia Implementation Toolkit guides providers through the steps to begin using teledentistry in their dental offices.
It includes:
- Provider and patient benefits to teledentistry
- Technology and equipment
- Team members and workflow considerations
- Codes and use cases
- Best practices
Teledentistry in Schools Learning Collaborative
School-based health programs support equitable access and improved health outcomes by reducing barriers to care. Offering teledentistry as a school-based oral health care option strengthens provider capacities and improves access to care.
To support the growth and adoption of teledentistry programs in schools, Catalyst staff will facilitate a learning collaborative for staff teams working in dental safety-net clinics in Virginia. Participants in this initiative will learn skills, design and implement workflows, and develop practice operations that enable teledentistry programs. Participating clinic teams will work collaboratively with a designated local school.
Applications are closed.
Teledentistry Learning Collaborative
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, Catalyst staff support dental safety net clinics in implementing innovative teledentistry projects that increase access to equitable oral health care. This initiative provides education and technical assistance to participating clinics, including teledentistry best practices and lessons learned, and information about software, equipment, or platform options.
The Teledentistry learning collaborative is currently underway.
Future of Public Oral Health
Catalyst also convenes teledentistry expertise through the FPOH Technology Workgroup. Members are working together to increase utilization of teledentistry for emergent care, consultations, and care coordination in clinical and community settings across Virginia in order to increase engagement and trust in the public oral health system.
Learn more & get involved!
Click below to learn more about the FPOH Technology Workgroup
Teledentistry Resources
- Crisis Teledentistry Implementation Guide (Virginia Health Catalyst)
- Teledentistry: What You Need to Know (MouthWatch)
- Teledentistry resources, including a downloadable user guide (National Network for Oral Health Access)
Practice Teledentistry Visit
Thank you to Dr. Tiffany Nightengale at Eastern Shore Rural Health System and Parker, Catalyst CEO Sarah Holland's son, for participating in this practice teledentistry visit!