Teledentistry can fill a gap created by a patient’s inability to visit a dental office. Ensuring that only patients in need of emergency care are in the dental office pays off in two ways. We can flatten the curve and we can maintain social distancing by using remote, problem-focused dental appointments.
When dentists evaluate patients over the phone or via video conference, patients can find out if their dental problem is an emergency without leaving the house. The American Dental Association recommends that only emergency patients visit dental offices at this time. The CDC also recommends that we hold off on preventive dental care visits for the time being.
When should you contact your dentist? The ADA recommends you do so if you experience or need:
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Painful swelling in or around your mouth
- Pain in a tooth, teeth, or jawbone
- Gum infection with pain or swelling
- After surgery treatment (dressing change, stitch removal)
- Broken or knocked-out tooth
- Denture adjustment for people receiving radiation or other treatment for cancer
- Snipping or adjusting wire of braces that hurts your check or gums
- Biopsy of abnormal tissue
- Replacement of temporary fillings
- Final crown/bridge cementation is the temporary restoration is lost or broken
Delta Dental of Colorado will cover certain teledentistry claims.
Because of these extraordinary circumstances arising from the COVID-19 crisis, Delta Dental will will be taking special consideration and payment will be made to providers who see patients in person or remote via teledentistry.
DDCO and the American Dental Association (ADA) have given guidance to providers on how to submit these claims. As a member, you can contact your dentist’s office to find out if they’re offering remote teledentistry services.
It’s even more important that we maintain good at-home oral health habits now to prevent the development of cavities. Click here to review best brushing and flossing practices or see if you’ve been brushing wrong.