The dental industry, as with many other industries in health care, is changing every day. Especially in this challenging time where not everyone can comfortably go to their dental office for a routine check up. To combat this, some dental offices are offering tele-health visits. But before you run to schedule one of these, you should consider the pros and cons of foregoing your normal visit.
Pros of Tele-Health Visits
Tele-health visits are becoming more and more normal across a number of health care fields. These appointments allow you to video chat with your dentist or doctor from anywhere rather than going to the office.
This is particularly useful during this time where certain offices may not be open, have limited hours, or fewer available appointments. You can schedule your appointment in advance just as you normally would, log into an app or a website online, and talk to your dentist as if you were sitting in the chair in their examination room.
Of course, as simple as this is you might wonder if these visits are really as effective.
Yes, the tele-health visits are easier. You don’t have to leave your house and risk infection. You cut down on time spent commuting, the anxiety of entering the office, and other minor inconveniences.
Still, a tele-health visit does not allow your dentist to clean your teeth or really examine your mouth. Instead, they will likely ask you questions about how you are feeling, changes in your medical history, and remind you about the importance of taking care of your teeth. Dr. Aller can also try to determine at this time, whether your symptoms require urgent dental care, or if they may be mitigated at home.
Cons of Tele-Health Visits
While we are living in the middle of a pandemic that has changed all aspects of healthcare and treatments including the addition of tele-health visits, it’s important to understand the ramifications of skipping a regular in-office visit.
When you visit your dentist for a regular checkup, your dentist can assess your mouth, clean your teeth, and analyze x-rays to determine any irregularities. As uncomfortable as x-rays may be or as confident as you are in your dental hygiene, it is important that your dentist actually looks at your teeth.
A tele-health visit allows for a conversation with your dentist, but the technology available for these video calls is not sophisticated enough for your dental professional to examine your teeth. This means that cavities, inflammation, and other serious issues can go unnoticed.
All of these issues can progress into larger issues that will later make treatment processes more complicated or in some instances impossible. It’s important to keep in mind that your dentist does more than simply clean your teeth each time you visit.
You may be hesitant to return to the office now, but consider the consequences of delaying your treatment for a future date. Right now, things are uncertain. It’s unclear when most people will feel comfortable returning to their day-to-day lives. We completely understand! However, while you stay home to protect yourself from Covid-19, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of delaying other healthcare treatment or examinations. We invite you to call Miracle Smile and speak to a member of our staff, to determine if your issue requires an in-office visit, or if it can be resolved with a tele-visit.
If you’re interested in learning more about tele-health, the way our office is adjusting to reopening, or want to schedule a visit at our Plantation or Coral Gables offices, call us today.