Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported globally
pandemic, dentistry is known as one of the most critical disciplines.
Teledentistry as a sub branch of telemedicine which can be a useful
modality is defined by using any telecommunication technology facility,
including digital photo and video to deliver oral care to isolated
patients in distant places by low cost(1). Although teledentistry has
been introduced as a valid tool to prevent unnecessary referrals, policy
makers have not shown much interest on it yet (2,3).
Diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring could be performed, meanwhile
research and continuing education or public education could be done via
teledentistry. In COVID-19 pandemic, teledentistry can prevent human and
non-human resources burden. Oral chronic diseases like vesiculobullous
and painful conditions are so dreadful and exhausting needing more care.
Pediatric patients and those who are suffering from cancer are no more
exceptions to this point. Tablets, smart phones, and all types of
electronic gadgets can facilitate virtual communication which is helpful
in telehealth.
Traditional visual examination is a gold standard, in order to reach a
better diagnosis and treatment plan. In teledentistry, intra oral or
other high quality cameras can provide essential documents. There are so
many investigations to compare visual and virtual examination, which
showed only some problems in diagnosing interproximal carious lesions
which is solved by digital radiography (3).
Teledentistry examinations are valid, feasible, and comparable to visual
examination for oral screening. Data storage is another crucial part in
teledentistry due to privacy policies (2,3).
Pediatric dentistry, oral medicine, orthodontics, and periodontics are
the most common disciplines that have studied the efficacy of
teledentistry rather than effectiveness. In developing countries, where
emergency care is more important than preventive care, conservatism of
decision makers, lack of resources and ICT infrastructure are the most
common problems in providing teledentistry (4).
Meanwhile there is a hidden advantage for teledentistry and telemedicine
that it can avoid feelings of isolation and stress for patients; so, it
can be more useful during COVID-19 quarantine (5).
Teledentistry performs in two ways; asynchronous by transmission
intraoral or extraoral images that are not used in real time; also,
known as the store and forward method, synchronous by use of real-time
interactive technologies, such as video or photoconferencing, and mobile
health care services via smartphone apps and text messages.
All the process should be recorded in patients file for further
information. Accurate triage is another prominent advantage of
teledentistry, which is so important during COVID-19.
For people in need of care like geriatrics or patients with special
needs telemedicine can eliminate some barriers (6).
Besides to teledentirstry’s advantages, especially in a situation like a
pandemic infection even with very primary facilities teledentistry can
be performed and be useful for triage. By introducing dentistry as a
very dangerous discipline, teledentistry can play a very specific role
to solve the majority of patients’ problems as a helpful facility in
this crisis and may be it can also persuade policy makers to perform
teledentistry in a vast program.