Telehealth is a newer technology that can provide more people with easier options for medical services. It improves access to these services for vulnerable populations, the elderly, and people who live in remote areas where transportation to doctor’s offices and hospitals is not available or difficult. While there are some dental problems that require a visit to a physical location for a dentist or their staff, there are many things that may be appropriately dealt with in telehealth sessions. Here are a few examples.
Toothache – If you have a toothache, you can set up a telehealth appointment.
The dental professional will ask you some questions to get a good idea of what’s going on. If they determine it’s serious and requires more urgent medical attention, they’ll advise you to set up an appointment (either at their office or with a local dentist).
Chipped or broken tooth – If your tooth is broken or chipped, it may not be an emergency situation. If it doesn’t seriously affect your ability to eat and is not causing pain, you can talk to a dentist remotely to determine your risk level and the options available to you.
Gum issues – If you have pain, discomfort, or other concerns associated with your gums, this is important to discuss with a dental expert. Bring up your symptoms, they can look at your dental history, and then evaluate what should be done next.
Other dental concerns that you can use telehealth for include oral lesions, overbite, teeth straightening, an impacted tooth, and cavities. You may even be able to get a prescription from a doctor online when you use telehealth services.
