Although teledentistry has been available for dentists for more than a decade, most dentists didn’t take advantage of it until it became an absolute necessity, thanks to the pandemic. But teledentistry has always been revolutionary because it helps dentists remotely reach vulnerable and underserved patients regardless of where they are. From diagnosing and treating patients virtually to scheduling periodic check-ups for clients remotely, teledentistry was and still is a breakthrough in dental care. But sadly, it took the pandemic to get many dentists, patients, and even the government to take a second look at it. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults and about 46% of adults age 30 and older have untreated tooth decay and show signs of gum disease, respectively. And as accessibility to top-notch dental care services remains a challenge for some patients, these challenges persist. The good news is that teledentistry is here to help. With advances in information and communications technology and the COVID-19 pandemic requiring people to stay at home and reduce physical and close contact, traditional dental care can and should evolve. Now, most clinicians are aware of teledentistry and ready to engraft it into their practice. The challenge of traditional dentistry during the pandemic is one of the significant reasons why teledentistry is becoming popular. With teledentistry, people can schedule online appointments with their dentists. Dentists can now virtually check their patients and even carry out treatments to some extent, reducing the need for patients to visit the dental clinic in person. Teledentistry is an evolving field that leverages information technology for consultation, a certain treatment level, and general public health awareness. Online and in-person courses about teledentistry will introduce you to digital imaging’s latest innovations, including radiology, computed radiography, digital photography, fluoroscopy, and virtual dental technologies. You’ll also be introduced to the importance of collaboration in virtual and physical dental practices. Likewise, you’ll get to access the clinical process of teledentistry using actual case studies while receiving training and hands-on experience. In addition to the clinical portions of these courses, you will be exposed to important telesales, telepractice, and technical skills in teledentistry as well. This helps keep dentists and their patients alike safe when social distancing is advised. Also, it reduces patients’ wait time for emergency dental care needs. Teledentistry reduces physical clinical interactions when avoidable as well as waiting time for dental appointments. Furthermore, it is a cheaper, easier, and faster way to provide access to dentists in a friendly approach.

Manuscript submission for dental related issues are accepted, to know more about the journal https://www.omicsonline.org/oral-hygiene-and-health.php

Regards
Sarah eve

Editorial Assistant

Journal of Oral Hygiene and Health