What is virtual dentistry and how does it benefit the patients and dentists?

Virtual dentistry involves the use of tele-communication technologies to provide care remotely, enabling dentists to serve a variety of dental care needs while avoiding close contact with patients.

Virtual dentistry offers a broad spectrum of solutions delivered remotely to patients via video conferencing or telephone connections. Patients can communicate with licensed dentists remotely at their convenience and get access to electronic prescriptions or X-ray/lab requisitions through the digital platform without having to visit a dental clinic until you are ready for a dental treatment procedure.

Virtual dentistry platforms like DENTTIS would enable dentists to expand their patient base during this pandemic situation by serving their patients through this virtual platform, thereby supporting the growth of their dental practice.

How did virtual dentistry evolve?

While the idea of virtual dentistry is not a new one, it is evolving to greater heights with emerging technology. Virtual dentistry has been around since the invention of telephone.

Now that technology is far more advanced, dentists can perform video consultations from the comfort of their home. Dentists are now able to consult and diagnose dentistry cases before scheduling an in-person visit with the patient thus saving time and money for both parties.

How can virtual dentistry help during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Among the different types of healthcare providers hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic, dentists rank among the top of the list. Now, they’re turning to virtual health platforms to offer patients access to some dentistry services and keep their practices going.

Dentistry is one of the most dangerous professions in terms of COVID-19 because the aerosol generated by a dental hand piece is an easy transmission route, which can be extremely risky. Hence, Dental care providers, from dentists to dental schools to virtual dentistry platforms like services like ‘DENTTIS’, are using the COVID-19 pandemic to push virtual dentistry into the spotlight. Virtual Dentistry is not just a temporary fix due to the COVID-19 crisis, rather it’s a permanent solution for many existing problems in the society today such as overhead costs for Dental clinics, geographical barriers and mobility constraints for patients.

- Dr. Naveen Raj Vittal

Pediatric Dentist, Denttis Technologies Pvt. Ltd.