Smile, you’re on camera

That gnawing feeling of dread as you settle into the dentist’s chair and eye up the drill could well be a thing of the past as the use of remote or teledentistry gathers pace.

Not only does the remote option offer cost and time savings, it also promises the ultimate in convenience; with teledentistry, patients are able to consult with dentists over the equivalent of a Zoom call, upload images of their mouth, and get advice on treatment and care options without ever having to visit the dental surgery.

Like other forms of telehealth, teledentistry was given a shot in the arm by the Covid-19 pandemic. A paucity of PPE coupled with a reluctance by patients to have in-person treatment meant dentists were forced to embrace a range of teledentistry techniques overnight. This has had a lasting impact and while there are still some obstacles to its widespread use, it is believed it will play an ever-increasing role in dentistry as the necessary technologies continue to improve.

Teledentistry has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the global pandemic in 2020 that it saw widespread adoption as a means to provide continuity of care, says Dr Jeffrey Sulitzer, global chief clinical officer at SmileDirectClub.

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“Early teledentistry practices included the exchange of images of the mouth and teeth between a treating dentist and their patient. Over the years, we’ve seen imaging and video technology transform, and teledentistry along with it,” he explains.

This technology forms the core of SmileDirectClub’s offering, which is at-home teeth alignment. “At SmileDirectClub, we now enable our customers to have video check-ins with highly trained dental processions on our dental care team, available 24/7 using a mobile device in the palm of their hand. It’s so much easier and more accessible than it’s ever been,” Sulitzer says.

Unsurprisingly, the remote option, like in many other fields of healthcare, is increasing in popularity. Patients love the convenience that virtual care provides, Sulitzer says. This means that a vast majority of dentists now expect teledentistry to lead to long-term changes in how they practise.

“Dentists who are using teledentistry today cite faster treatment planning, effective consultations, and reduced patient time in the dental chair as benefits. Less chair time allows dentists to provide care to patients who really need treatment in the office.”

But is the option of teledentistry solely for those who are supremely tech savvy? Not so, according to Sulitzer.

“We have customers as young as 12 years old and all the way up to age 84. The technology we use for virtual care is super easy for anyone, regardless of your tech savviness. If you can work with a smartphone, you’ll have no issues with SmileDirectClub.”

The main thing to remember, Sulitzer stresses, is that the human aspect still remains; a local dentist will always review a customer’s file and ascertain the best course of treatment.

“All the information our customers submit to us either via a visit to a SmileShop or a dentist-prescribed impression kit is loaded into our telehealth platform for teeth straightening,” he says. “An Ireland-registered dentist or orthodontist determines the customer’s candidate for clear aligners and, if eligible, will prescribe a treatment plan. The customer will then have the opportunity to review and approve the treatment plan before proceeding.”

And there is an element of hand holding throughout the entire process. Once the customer’s aligners arrive, they can watch a series of videos that will take them through the process and answer some of the frequently asked questions they might have before they get started.

Choosing the remote option doesn’t mean going it alone, Sulitzer is keen to impress. “They can also reach out to our customer care and dental care teams 24/7 for support. If necessary, they can even hop on a quick video chat with our dental care team to quickly resolve any questions or concerns they might have. We aim to make virtual care as easy as possible to eliminate any barriers people face.”