Online Dental Consultation

It uses communication technology to connect patients with dentists or licensed dental team members when distance would otherwise make access harder.

Remote consultations can help people whose distance from dental care creates an access barrier, including people in varied locations within a reasonable geographic area.

The consultation is a remote communication visit. If the information available cannot support a diagnosis and treatment plan, an in-person examination may be needed instead.

Before the visit, patients should be able to identify the practitioner, see licensing and board-certification qualifications, and know the costs they will be responsible for.

The useful result of a remote visit is a documented care decision and, when needed, access to appropriate local follow-up resources after the encounter.

The dentist collects relevant patient information remotely, assesses whether it is sufficient for diagnosis and planning, then documents the service and provides a summary.

After a remote encounter, follow-up care should be available through local dental resources. When an emergency referral is necessary for safety, care moves to an acute-care facility or emergency department.

A face-to-face dental examination remains the alternative when direct examination is needed. Remote care must use the same level of information needed for equivalent in-person care.

Expect the provider to collect relevant information, explain who is collecting or evaluating it, and document the resulting dental care or next step.

For covered remote dental services, benefit coverage may be provided to the same extent as the equivalent in-person service, without restriction solely because of the technology or location used.