A recent study from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) has highlighted the significant role teledentistry played in providing timely and accurate diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The innovative approach allows dental professionals to remotely assess patients, helping to triage cases and determine if urgent in-person care is needed before patients visit a clinic.
The study, published in the Australian Dental Journal, explores the effectiveness of virtual health care in public dentistry and suggests that teledentistry could be a key component of future dental care models. During the pandemic, the NBMLHD Oral Health service frequently used teledentistry to screen and consult with patients, effectively managing the challenges of limited access to in-person care.
The study reviewed over 1,900 cases where patients had both a teledentistry consultation and a follow-up face-to-face exam within a week, between 2020 and 2021. The findings showed highly accurate diagnoses ranging from 74.08% to 99.95% for a variety of dental conditions, including dental abscesses, dry socket, and salivary gland disease.
Teledentistry relies on digital photographs submitted by patients, often taken with mobile phones, and a series of questions answered via phone consultation with a dentist. This system allows for quick, accurate assessments of a patient’s condition, helping to determine whether they require urgent care or can be managed remotely.
Tanya Mahony, NBMLHD’s Oral Health Promotion and Research Coordinator, and the lead author of the study, explained that teledentistry played a crucial role in triaging patients and prioritizing care during times of restricted access. “The high specificity of teledentistry demonstrates its potential as a valuable tool for efficiently allocating resources by accurately identifying cases that require immediate or urgent attention,” said Mahony.
Teledentistry also provides a platform for consultations that overcome barriers like geographical distance and mobility challenges. This virtual model is particularly beneficial for healthcare systems with limited resources, as it allows for prioritizing patients based on the urgency of their conditions.
Associate Professor Albert Yaacoub, Director of the NBMLHD Oral Health Service and senior author of the study, sees teledentistry as an opportunity to redefine dental care. “Teledentistry is a model of care that can be further refined and integrated into routine practices, enabling tailored treatment plans and ensuring timely, appropriate management,” Yaacoub stated.
While acknowledging the need for further research, Yaacoub believes that with enhanced technology infrastructure, teledentistry could become a standard component of public dental health services, offering long-term benefits to patient care and overall system efficiency.
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