Use of a teledentistry partnership program to reach a rural pediatric population

Abstract

Background: Teledentistry is “the practice of using video-conferencing technologies to diagnose and provide advice about treatment over a distance.” Teledentistry has been defined as “the practice of using video-conferencing technologies to diagnose and provide advice about treatment over a distance.” This report describes the partnership of two rural Georgia public health districts. Augusta University Dental College of Georgia’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry partnered with a private practice dentist in Georgia with the goal of increasing access to care. Methods: A partnership was created that allowed dentists in a remote location to triage dental patients seen in a school-based clinic. Results: Over 3500 children were treated in a school-based dental clinic over a five year period and triaged for referral for further treatment via a teledentisty link. Conclusions: Teledentistry provides an option to reach rural populations for whom access to dental care is an issue.