Teledentistry Overview: United States of America

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29086/JISfTeH.7.e9

Keywords: Teledentistry, telemedicine, United States of America

Abstract

This paper describes current teledentistry practices in the United States of America.  The health landscape of the country is reviewed and the emerging need for remote health services discussed. The origins, current guidelines, legal issues, and financial arrangements for teledentistry are described.  Specific attention is paid to emerging teledentistry programmes throughout the country, including a case study of a successful and expanding teledentistry programme in the state of Oregon. Although the literature has long touted the health and economic benefits associated with teledentistry, it has become clear that this technology has generally outpaced policymaking and regulatory agencies. This paper attempts to contextualise and review leading developments in teledentistry to aid in the dissemination of otherwise fragmented efforts and experiences.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

National Association of Dental Plans. (2018). Dental Benefits Basics. Available at: https://www.nadp.org/Dental_Benefits_Basics/Dental_BB_1.aspx accessed 11 December 2018.

Nash KD. Geographic Distribution of Dentists in the United States. Dental Health Policy Analysis Series. Chicago, American Dental Association Health Policy Resources Center, 2011.

Clark, GT. Teledentistry: what is it now, and what will it be tomorrow? J Calif Dent Assoc 2000; 28(2):121-127. PMID:11323836

Rocca MA, Kudryk VL, Pajak JC, et al. The evolution of a teledentistry system within the Department of Defense. Proceedings of the AMIA Symposium 1999;921-924. PMID:10566495

Langelier M, Rodat C, Moore J. Case studies of 6 teledentistry programs: strategies to increase access to general and specialty dental services. Rensselaer, New York: Oral Health Workforce Research Center. 2016.

American Dental Hygienists Association. (2016). Dental Hygienists Restorative Duties – State Chart. Available at: https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7516_Restorative_Duties_by_State.pdf accessed 11 December 2018.

American Dental Association. (2016). Virtual dental homes offer way to get care to the underserved. Available at: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/september/virtual-dental-homes-offer accessed 11 December 2018.

Governor of the State of Hawaii. (2018). News Release: DOH West Hawaii Teledentistry Pilot Expands to Maui. Available at: https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/news-release-doh-west-hawaii-teledentistry-pilot-expands-to-maui/ accessed 11 December 2018.

D9995 and D9996 – ADA Guide to Understanding and Documenting Teledentistry Events. Chicago, Illinois: American Dental Association, 2017.

Eby A, Sanju L, Shilpa C, et al. Teledentistry in practice: an update. IOSR J Dent Med Sci 2016;15(6):103-106. DOI: 10.9790/0853-150606103106

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2018). Telehealth Services. Available at https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/TelehealthSrvcsfctsht.pdf accessed 11 December 2018.

Peebles, H. A cost-effectiveness analysis of the Southeast Health District’s Teledentistry Program. Atlanta, GA: Rollins School of Public Health; 2011.

Ohio Dental Association. (2018). ODA Foundation grant recipient creating tele-dentistry program to improve access to care. Available at: https://www.oda.org/news/detail.dT/oda-foundation-grant-recipient-creating-tele-dentistry-program-to-improve-access-to-care/ accessed 11 December 2018.

Center for Connected Health Policy. (2018). State Telehealth Laws & Reimbursement Policies. Available at: https://www.cchpca.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/CCHP_50_State_Report_Fall_2018.pdf accessed 11 December 2018.

Minnesota Star Tribune. (2018). Teledentistry expands preventive care to more Minnesota families. Available at: http://www.startribune.com/teledentristry-expands-preventive-care-to-more-minnesota-families/496043791/ accessed 11 December 2018.

American Dental Education Association. ADEA State Update: States file teledentistry bills. (2017) American Dental Education Association website. Available at: http://www.adea.org/Blog.aspx?id=23311&blogid=20132 accessed 22 March 2017.

Grady J. Telehealth: a case study in disruptive innovation. Am J Nurs 2014;114(4):38-45. DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000445682.52553.89

Best E. Preparing the Future: Use of Teledentistry to Enhance Interprofessional Pediatric Dental Education. NYU Department of Pediatric Dentistry, HRSA Predoctoral Training Grant #D8HP28495, 2017.

Published
2019-05-03
How to Cite
Nichols, K. (2019). Teledentistry Overview: United States of America. Journal of the International Society for Telemedicine and EHealth, 7, e9 (1-6). https://doi.org/10.29086/JISfTeH.7.e9
Section
Special Theme : Telehealth in Dentistry