Teledentistry: A New View on Oral Health Care Balaji N, Professor & Head, Agarwal M*, Postgraduate Student, Sumathi MK, Reader Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, TMU, Bagarpur, Delhi Road, Moradabad *Corresponding author: Mansi Agarwal, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College & Research Centre, TMU Bagarpur, Delhi Road, Moradabad-244001. E-Mail: drmansiag@gmail.com, Mob: 09837160635
Online published on 8 October, 2014. Abstract Technologic innovations in the field of dentistry have been extensive in recent years. Just as communication technology and uses of electronic information has developed over the years, terms to describe the health care services at a distance, such as telehealth and telemedicine, have also evolved. Teledentistry is a synergistic combination of telecommunication and dentistry. It is a relatively new field that can change the dynamics of the dental care delivery system. It has implications not only in urban set up but also meets the dental care needs of the underserved in the rural areas of India. It involves the local dentist digitizing and electronically transmitting drawings, diagrams, photographs, and x-rays to a specialist. Teledentistry approaches may hold the potential to address many of the problems related to access, cost efficiency, and quality of dental care. It also has the ability to improve the access and delivery of the oral health care. Most of the dentists are unaware about the goals and advantages of teledentistry. This article reviews the origin, rationale, basis, requirements and scope of teledentistry. Top Keywords Teledentistry, Technology, Internet. Top |