Why Patients and Providers are Sticking with Teledentistry

The-way-things-used-to-be might not be a good measure of where things are progressing. For example, patient perception about teledentistry could be progressing beyond what a percentage of dentists feel about the service.

Consider these results from a 2020 Oral Health survey:

”…75% of dentists found their teledentistry program to be a success!” ^[1]

The reasons driving those results had much to do with safety perceptions and the desire to create a safe dental experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fast-forward to what’s now the post-pandemic era. The perceived benefits have shifted slightly for some dentists according to Oral Health.

”53 percent of dentists don’t plan on keeping (teledentistry options)…” ^[2]

An approximate 20% drop in favor of teledentistry among dentists (post-pandemic) prompts a question.

Why not stay the course with teledentistry?

Reasons could follow a range of responses.

• Cost perceptions
• The teledentistry UX (User Experience) and implementation challenges

Or (as earlier mentioned)…

• A desire to return to the-way-things-used-to-be (pre-pandemic)

Keep in mind that a smaller percentage of dental providers are comfortable staying in a more familiar “lane” of pre-COVID patient care. Others (including patients) are seeing virtual dental care as something worth the investment of their interest, time, and innovation.

In light of those reasons, a better question might be:

”What are your patient’s perceptions about teledentistry going forward?”

Insight from a Guardian Life data-set helps answer that question in the context of dental care alternatives.

”Despite 26 percent of dentists admitting that teledentistry is not a satisfying way for them to practice, it certainly resulted in an industry shift in patient behavior.” ^[3]

Perhaps it’s time to consider what your patients could be thinking about teledentistry.

The following 2021 survey data confirms a positive trend relative to virtual consultations:

• 7 percent strongly agreed that their video consultation ran smoothly.
• 7 percent strongly agreed that they were comfortable in their homes rather than traveling (e.g. to the hospital, etc) for their consultation.
• 2 percent strongly agreed that the dentist told (them) everything they needed to know and answered their questions.
• 64 percent thought their consultation was thorough.
• 1 percent strongly agreed that they had enough time to discuss their concerns. ^[4]

Why patients and dentists are sticking with teledentistry

It’s about accessibility

The initial circumstances that created a renewed surge in teledentistry have paved the way for new adopters. Patients and providers see other post-pandemic circumstances that are driving the appeal of virtual dental care.

• Life circumstances such as work, caring for an aging parent or young children, etc rely on convenience.
• Secure access to dental visits from the comfort of home, office, while traveling, etc.
• Convenient time options and less pre-appointment wait-times.

It’s about emotional health

A percentage of patients have always struggled with anxiety and stress around a dental visit. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified those emotional challenges.

Digital access to services - including dental and general health care - helps reduce the stress of travel, interaction, and more. A well-equipped teledentistry platform provides emotional-air within the UX.

• Convenient, private conversation around symptoms or conditions.
• Ability to securely and confidently share and discuss diagnostic images.
• Opportunity to collaborate virtually with referred specialists or other dental professionals prior to next step treatment.

Essentially, with few if any limitations, your patients can access your dental expertise leading to the next phase of care. When their emotional health is no longer a hurdle, it increases the potential for treatment acceptance and follow-through.

Usage trends would seem to confirm that teledentistry is here to stay. Innovation will evolve as provider and patient needs evolve.

• Stay informed about teledentistry best-practices.
• Listen to your patient preferences about virtual dental care opportunities.
• Experiment and pilot teledentistry in your practice.

And…

Leverage the insights available in the following resources:

Prepare for the Positive Challenges Facing Teledentistry and the Future of Dental Care

Are Timing and Growth Projections Adequate Motivation for Implementing Teledentistry?

A fully equipped and secure teledentistry platform helps assure a patient-centric UX

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 care in the process.

• Teledentix provides an easy-to-use video conferencing tool that’s secure, HIPAA compliant, and specific to dentistry.
• Teledentix Basic is a perfect starting point. Begin with a free trial and then transition to a very low monthly fee. You and your patients can join unlimited video conferences including screen-share, file-share, video-share, and real-time chat communications.

LEARN MORE about the Teledentix platform.

^[1]           https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/does-teledentistry-have-a-future-post-pandemic/

^[2]           https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/does-teledentistry-have-a-future-post-pandemic/

^[3]           https://www.guardianlife.com/dental/post-pandemic-dentistry

^[4]           https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8361006/#: