Teledentistry: Building a Bridge Between Patient Care and Technology – A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background

When patients cannot reach us, we must reach them—this is where teledentistry comes in. This innovative approach leverages digital and electronic devices to enable dental diagnosis, therapy, and management, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of dental care. Teledentistry allows remote consultations, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations, significantly improving patient outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became an essential tool, enabling remote dental care through telecommunications and digital platforms.

Objectives

This review aims to highlight the role of teledentistry in enhancing access to dental care, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore, and identify the challenges that must be addressed to improve its effectiveness to achieve equal access to dental care for all.

Methods

A scoping literature search used keywords related to telemedicine, teledentistry, and underserved populations across databases including PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Only articles published in English were selected, with a focus on literature from 2020 onwards.

Results

By reducing walk-in visits and minimizing travel costs, teledentistry effectively bridges gaps in access to care. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of tele dentistry, underscoring its vital role in maintaining dental care during uncertain times. While urban

populations often benefit from advanced digital dentistry, rural and marginalized communities continue to face infrastructural limitations and financial barriers, including the lack of payment policies, regulatory barriers, and resistance from some healthcare providers and patients. To fully realize teledentistry’s potential, these obstacles must be addressed by improving internet accessibility, simplifying technology, and providing comprehensive training for dentists.

Conclusion

Despite its promise, teledentistry faces hurdles. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring equal access to quality dental care for all. Improving internet accessibility, simplifying technology usage, and implementing comprehensive training programs for dentists are essential steps.

Keywords:

Teledentistry, Digital dental care, Undeserved populations, Dental care accessibility, Healthcare barriers