Pros and Cons of Teledentistry: Considerations for Dental Teams

Teledentistry has moved from being a pandemic-era necessity to a long-term consideration for many dental practices. At its core, teledentistry uses secure digital communication—video calls, photo sharing, and electronic records—to provide dental consultations, follow-ups, and patient education without requiring an in-person visit. While it can’t replace hands-on care, teledentistry is proving to be a valuable adjunct to traditional practice.

Like any innovation, teledentistry comes with both benefits and limitations. Dental teams weighing whether to adopt this approach may find it helpful to review the following checklist:

Pros

• Expands access to care for patients in rural or underserved areas.
• Provides convenience for patients with mobility issues or scheduling challenges.
• Useful for triage, follow-ups, post-op care, and preventive counseling.
• May reduce unnecessary in-office visits, freeing chairtime for higher-need patients.
• Encourages stronger patient engagement through flexible communication.

Cons

• Limited in scope: cannot replace diagnostics or procedures requiring direct care.
• Requires reliable technology and secure HIPAA-compliant platforms.
• May be challenging for patients without internet access or digital literacy.
• Reimbursement policies vary by state and payer.
• Risk of miscommunication if visuals or patient descriptions are unclear.

Ethical considerations also apply. Patient privacy must be safeguarded with the same diligence as in-person care, requiring platforms that meet HIPAA standards. Dental professionals should also consider equity—ensuring that teledentistry doesn’t unintentionally exclude vulnerable populations who lack access to digital tools.

Determining if teledentistry is right for your clinic comes down to practice goals, patient population, and resources. For some practices, it may serve best as a supplement—for example, post-op check-ins, hygiene instruction, or monitoring orthodontic progress. For others, it may play a larger role in expanding access to preventive care and consultations. Each dental team should evaluate how well teledentistry aligns with their workflow and patient needs before making a commitment.

To be clear, teledentistry is not the future replacement of traditional care, but rather an expanding option in how care can be delivered. For practices prepared to integrate it thoughtfully, it can enhance efficiency, patient satisfaction, and overall access to dentistry.

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At MyDentalCE.com, we continue to provide dental teams with education on emerging technologies and best practices, helping professionals make informed decisions about the tools and models of care shaping the future of dentistry.