Implementing Teledentistry into Your Practice

Credit Details
This electronically delivered self-instructional program is designated for 1.5 hours of CE credit by Farran Media.
AGD Code: 550.

The fee to view this course is $36. This cost includes the fee to take the exam and claim your CE credits.

Synopsis:
The future of dentistry is here and now. Teledentistry can become a revenue-generating addition to your practice while improving patient care. Since Covid, virtual visits are now part of reducing viral exposures in the dental office. Virtual visits can provide the pre-covid screening, triaging emergencies and palliating non-emergencies to save valuable chair time and PPEs. With all the PPE requirements to treat patients, virtual visits will be the most personal contact patients will have with their dental team. To reduce the adoption barrier, it is important to remember teledentistry is nothing new. As soon as two people could talk to each other on the telephone, and one complained about a toothache, that was tele-dentistry-using telecommunications in the care, treatment, and education of dentistry. Healthcare providers have been providing telephone consultations ever since. Now, adding a video component to that conversation allows the doctor to see the patient and visually assess the patient.

It is important to define what teledentistry is and is not. Understanding synchronous, asynchronous, mHealth and tele-dental education is key to integrating into your practice model. Prior to Covid, a survey by DentVox in 2019 showed that 78% of patients are likely to start using teledentistry in the next 5 years. During Covid, payors stepped up and started reimbursing teledentistry, several provided teledentistry for their members at no cost to the member. States expanded their teledentistry regulations, allowing dentists to provide teledentistry to their patients. Now teledentistry is a household word.

Since Covid, virtual visits are now part of reducing viral exposures in the dental office. Virtual visits can provide the pre-covid screening, triaging emergencies and palliating non-emergencies to save valuable chair time and PPEs. With all the PPE requirements to treat patients, virtual visits will be the most personal contact patients will have with their dental team. The opportunity to “see” the dentist and staff free from masks, shields and protective gear will allow the interpersonal relationship to be established. Dentists who deliver services using teledentistry must establish protocols for appropriate referrals when necessary.

Estimated that 180M people will not visit a dentist office. Virtual Technology empowers patients to take control of their dental health by overcoming their biggest issue. Going to the dentist! TELEHEALTH USE IS UP 53% and growing faster than any other place of care. Teledentistry is the newest specialty. Expanding the reach with teledentistry is a big advantage to patients, producing a powerful result—optimizing health.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• History of TeleDentistry
• Understanding the definition of teledentistry
• The different methods to provide when helping patients return to dental care in a COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 environment
• Basics of change in dentistry in 2020 and beyond with implementing virtual visits
• How is virtual dental care delivered? What technology is necessary for providing care?

Description of Speaker:
Dr. Kunstadter graduated from UMKC Dental School. While there, she co-founded the UMKC Dental Outreach Program. The program has taken students, facility and alumni to third world countries to provide dental care for 25 years. Dr. Kunstadter has led and participated in over 24 medical mission trips worldwide since 1982.

Dr. Kunstadter has been in private practice of dentistry for over 35 years. In 2001, she co-founded The Smile Salon, the Midwest’s first Dental Spa. In 2004, she was designated an “Innovator “ by the Invisalign Corporation. In 2008, she achieved the designation of Elite Preferred Provider with Invisalign, which is awarded to only 1% of Invisalign providers in the world. Dr. Kunstadter was the first woman dentist to be awarded this honor. She is an international speaker with Invisalign and continued to receive Elite Status during her tenure at the Smile Salon.

In 2013, Dr. Kunstadter was appointed the Dental Director of The PAINS Alliance of Kansas City, an organization developed to address chronic pain nationwide. She is the co-founder of The TeleDentists, the first Teledental platform to provide dental consultation services to the healthcare industry. Dr. Kunstadter spends countless hours advocating for dental/medical integration as a solution for improving healthcare. She is President of The TeleDentists, newly appointed member of CTel Advisory Board as the first dentist, is on the board of the American Teledental Association, a member of the Alphas and spends her spare time enjoying her family of four adult children and one 2 year old granddaughter

Disclosure:
In the past 12 months, the lecturer/speaker declare that they have had a financial interest, arrangement or affiliation within the field of dentistry or health care with the following: The TeleDentists.

Legal Disclaimer:
The CE provider (Farran Media) uses reasonable care in selecting and providing content that is accurate. The CE provider, however, does not independently verify the content or materials. The CE provider does not represent that the instructional materials are error-free or that the content or materials are comprehensive. Any opinions expressed in the materials are those of the author of the materials and not the CE provider. Completing one or more continuing education courses does not provide sufficient information to qualify the participant as an expert in the field related to the course topic or in any specific technique or procedure. The instructional materials are intended to supplement, but are not a substitute for, the knowledge, expertise, skill and judgment of a trained health care professional.

Licensure:
Continuing education credits issued for completion of online CE courses may not apply toward license renewal in all licensing jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of each registrant to verify the CE requirements of his/her licensing or regulatory agency.

State CE Requirements:
Click Here for CE requirements by state. Please note that this information is current as of the time of listing. This information is subject to change at any time from the state boards. For the most up-to-date information, please contact your state board directly.

Refund Policy
There are no refunds for Online CE courses. Please contact technical support if you run into technical difficulty.

For any questions, please contact Nareg Apelian, DMD, Director of Continuing Education at nareg@farranmedia.com