There are many areas where dental services are not easily accessible. Maryville is one such place where people face many problems when reaching out to a dentist. It is a rural area located in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are very few dentists, and the clinics are located far away. Teledentistry provides a means to connect people from such places seamlessly. You can get a dental consultation virtually and get your dental problem diagnosed.
Moreover, COVID-19 has led to an increase in demand for virtual appointments. People have started to adopt teledentistry even more. The pandemic has given insight into the importance of healthcare services being available in times of crisis. Now, you can book an initial consultation at a dental practice in Maryville, TN, and get your dental problem treated easily.
What is the procedure of virtual dentistry?
The patient can have an initial consultation booked with a specialized dentist. The process can be further divided into sub-parts:
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Conversation about the problem:
The patient will tell you about the symptoms that they are experiencing. Whatever problems they are facing need to be explained in detail. It is to help the dentist understand the dental problem extensively.
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Examining the oral health of the patient:
You might be wondering how this would be done. However, dentists can quickly examine the oral health of the patient and make a diagnosis. To get a better look, the dentist might instruct you to put some light on your mouth so that they know what is going on there.
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Treatment:
Once the dentist makes the diagnosis and identifies the problem, they will prescribe the medication or instruct you on what you can do to get relief from the problem at the moment. It does not negate the need to visit the dentist in person, but you can undoubtedly manage your dental problem for the time being.
What are the benefits of teledentistry?
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People living in rural areas get access to quality care.
Many places are still not getting dental services as they should. Residents have to travel long distances to get access to dental services. Maryville is one such example. Therefore, teledentistry makes it possible for residents to reach out to a skilled dentist without having to cover long distances. It not only saves their time but also energy. Patients can get consultations from the comfort of their homes.
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Saving costs on different things.
Virtual consultation helps people cut off travel expenses. Furthermore, an in-person visit is almost double what it costs for a virtual visit. The virtual visit is around 79 dollars. Thus, healthcare services should be provided that are affordable for those who might not be able to get them.
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Making collaboration possible in complex cases.
Teledentistry also gives dentists the opportunity to collaborate with other healthcare providers and gain insight into complex cases. People in Maryville have to travel long distances to get in touch with a specialized dentist. At the same time, local dentists in virtual meetings can quickly get in touch with other dentists who might be located in a faraway place.
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Helps people who might have dental anxiety.
Almost twenty percent of people in America experience dental anxiety. Due to this anxiety, they might avoid visiting the dentist. Such people start to panic when they have to go to a dentist. Virtual consultation gives such people an alternative to get their dental problems treated at hand.
Is it worth booking a virtual consultation with a dentist?
While it may not be a long-term solution, especially if you have complex dental problems, it can undoubtedly help with dental emergencies. Moreover, those who find it difficult to reach out to a dentist in person due to fear or anxiety can also benefit from it. While this is a good alternative, the importance of in-person dental treatment cannot be overlooked.