Teledentistry
Have questions about teledentistry? You’re not alone! Teledentistry has become much more common in 2020 due to how much time people spend in their homes or working remotely. We are proud to offer teledentistry to our patients at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry. One of our very own dentists took some time to share information and answer common patient questions to help educate about teledentistry and this new process. View the table of contents below to learn more or find your question and get an answer from one of the dentists!
The following content was provided by Dr. Cameron Noah, D.D.S., and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Some relevant links have been added to audio transcripts to provide resources for additional information.
Table of Contents:
Click on a question below to be taken directly to that answer.
- What is teledentistry?
- How does teledentistry work?
- How does a dental exam work through teledentistry?
- When should I get a teledentistry appointment instead of a regular appointment?
- Do I need a computer to get a teledentistry appointment?
- Should I use my computer or my phone for my teledentistry appointment?
- Can kids do teledentistry?
- How do I schedule a teledentistry appointment?
- Does insurance cover teledentistry?
What is teledentistry?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Teledentistry is an exciting new service that’s offered by Lane and Associates that allows for the dentist and the patient to interact virtually, much in the same way that people interact via Zoom or FaceTime.
How does teledentistry work?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Well, teledentistry appointment is very similar to a regular dental appointment, except for it’s done virtually. So the patient will get an appointment time and they will be sent a link. They’ll click on the link and that will take them to a virtual waiting room. And when the dentist is ready to see them, they will connect virtually. And from there, they can have a conversation over the internet about the patient’s problems.
How does a dental exam work through teledentistry?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Yeah, absolutely. It is possible to have an exam over teledentistry. The patient can be interviewed by the dentist. They can talk about the patient’s problems and their symptoms, and then the dentist can actually do an exam on the patient over the internet. So one thing that’s handy is to have good lighting in place so the dentist can see, and sometimes it’s even easier to do it using a handheld device, like a phone or a tablet where the patient can use the camera to zoom in on the problem too.
When should I get a teledentistry appointment instead of a regular dentist appointment?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Teledentistry is very useful for patients who find it difficult to actually get into the office. And currently with the pandemic, some patients feel uncomfortable going out in public or going to a dental office. So teledentistry would be great for a patient like that. Other patients find it difficult to find time in their schedule due to their job, or maybe to other commitments. Maybe they don’t have transportation or they have issues with mobility. All these patients would highly benefit from teledentistry.
Do I need a computer to get a teledentistry appointment?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
No, you don’t have to have a computer, but you do need to have at least a smartphone, or a tablet, and actually a smartphone or a tablet are preferable over a computer because of the ease of use of zooming in on a tooth with using the camera.
Should I use my computer or my phone for my teledentistry appointment?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Yeah, you can use either your computer or your phone. A lot of patients choose to use their phone because they might not be home during their teledentistry appointment. Also, the phone is easier to use during these appointments because patient may find it easier to take a picture of their tooth using their phone versus a computer.
Can kids do teledentistry?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Yeah, absolutely. Kids can do teledentistry. Just the same as an adult.
How do I schedule a teledentistry appointment?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Yeah, the best way to schedule a teledentistry appointment is to visit our website at lanedds.com/teledentistry or request an appointment online and /virtualconsultation under the preferred location dropdown. Patients can also call 1-877-LANEDDS and schedule an appointment with one of our consultants.
Does insurance cover teledentistry?
Content provided by Dr. Cameron Noah and has been medically reviewed for accuracy. Transcription provided below.
Dr. Cameron Noah:
Insurance does cover teledentistry, but not all insurance plans are the same. So to find out if your insurance plan covers teledentistry, you should reach out and talk to one of our insurance specialists at Lane associates.
