There are compelling reasons for you to provide teledentistry to your patients. But those reasons also compel a number of questions - starting with why it’s necessary to obtain informed consent for teledentistry services.
The informing part is key for this emerging treatment protocol. Many patients are perhaps seeing the growing popularity of telehealth and telemedicine services. As a provider you bear the responsibility to inform them.
The American Dental Association (ADA) remains your policy guide for all things teledentistry. As it’s emerged as a viable approach to patient treatment they have helped define it for you and your patients.
”Teledentistry refers to the use of telehealth systems and methodologies in dentistry. Telehealth refers to a broad variety of technologies and tactics to deliver virtual medical, health, and education services. Telehealth is not a specific service, but a collection of means to enhance care and education delivery.”
In general, teledentistry includes:
The proper documentation protects you and your patients when they choose a teledentistry appointment. A summary of the services they can expect with teledentistry is your first level of documentation.
Once you provide a thorough overview your patients can expect to be protected under certain informed consent guidelines.
It’s recommended that you keep your consent form for teledentistry informative…yet simple! A sample form is available from the California Dental Association (CDA). Use it for guidance or adapt it for your own purposes - making sure you cover all required information for obtaining consent.
Basically, it’s asking written permission to participate in a teledentistry consultation. It outlines a review of records via digital means, the potential for treatment recommendations, and that you may/may not require an in-person appointment.
Inform them that teledentistry is a safe, secure way of accessing your dental expertise without an in-office visit. Dedicated technology could be used to view digital images and other relevant health information. Clarify that the goal of their teledentistry appointment is to provide care recommendations.
Their mouth or tooth condition may be examined by you (their provider), a registered dental assistant (RDA), a registered dental hygienist (RDH), or (as allowed by California) a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP). Dental records such as images or other relevant information could be obtained electronically.
Their personal dental, medical, and health related information might be discussed with other health professionals. This data could be shared via phone or stored-forwarded (asynchronous) technology.
A teledentistry consultation might require more than one appointment. And limited treatment could be provided by qualified and licensed professionals following the teledentistry appointment.
Teledentistry provides them access to you (a dentist) and additional dental information without requiring them to travel to a dental office or clinic. Inform you patient(s) that an in-office appointment for treatment could be necessary following a teledentistry consultation.
Their in-office treatment will often be due to a specific dental or medical reason. And their future dental care will rely on recommendations made during the teledentistry consultation.
The primary alternative to a teledentistry appointment would be an in-person consultation with you (the provider). Clarify that results cannot be guaranteed following any dental consultation or procedure.
Teledentistry consultations are currently subject to federal and state laws regarding confidentiality. A separate document (Notice of Privacy Practices) can be provided to your patient that outlines how confidentiality applies to the information obtained or discussed during a teledentistry appointment.
Your patient’s rights extend to their right to choose or not choose participation in a teledentistry consultation any time before and/or during the consultation. Their right to future care or treatment is not affected by their acceptance or decline.
They also have the option to seek a dental consultation or treatment in a dental office at any time before or after the teledentistry consultation. Their rights extend as well to any injury that occurs as a result of procedures provided by the RDA, RDH, or (as applicable) the RDHAP. You (the dentist) will be notified and arrangements will be made for appropriate injury treatment or follow-up.
A dedicated teledentistry platform can be equipped to facilitate the need for informed consent.
The overall holistic solutions within a dedicated teledentistry platform enables you to fully maximize your virtual patient interactions…leading to no-hassle, fully informed patient consent!
Teledentix is an innovative, turn-key teledentistry solution created by Virtual Dental Care. The all-in-one platform will enable you to adapt teledentistry to your patient care and extend your services beyond the walls of your dental practice…and improve your patient engagement in the process.
Contact us about Teledentix and discover how it streamlines the interaction between you and your patient around their dental care…including informed consent for teledentistry.