Thanks to the internet, you can now shop, find information on any subject at any time, and interact with people all over the world, all from the comfort of your couch. You can also read great blogs on your favorite family dentist’s website! The internet has revolutionized the way we do pretty much everything, and dentistry is no exception. Here’s how advances in online activity has affected how you interact with a dentist.
Teledentistry
Teledentistry is a stellar representation of the way technology is changing almost everything around us in our world today. In layman’s terms, teledentistry is “remote dentistry.” Teledentistry uses communication technology in order to be able to perform dentistry consulting and planning over vast distances. It allows doctors to consult patients, offer diagnostic opinions, share medical information, and offer treatment solutions all while being in a separate location than the patient. While you can’t have a full exam just yet over the internet, your dentists can now exchange information by transferring computer-based information via the internet. There are also special software products, designed for communication between dentists, and customized software products designed to access dental information.
Some places teledentistry is most common includes community hospitals, rural hospitals, and medical learning centers.
Teledentistry is only a small part of what technology and the Internet are doing for the medical world today. With this new implement of technology, rural areas and less-developed countries can have more access to better health care. Instead of needing to find transportation and means to get to the local dentist, people in such areas can simply use communication technology to get into contact with their doctors. The doctors can then offer them treatment plans and diagnostics from a remote place. This will also lower the cost of said medical care because no office visit is needed until it is time for a procedure to take place. All in all, teledentistry is a promising move towards a better medical future.
Finding a Dentist
finding a dentist online
Not only are you able to run a search that will show you the closest dental offices to your home or office, but you can find out more information about them right away, including the types of procedures the dentist performs, which insurance plans they accept and even reviews from past patients.
Learning about Procedures
The common adage is that knowledge is power. If you want to learn more about a specific procedure that your Mesa dentist has recommended, you can now find out how the procedure works step-by-step. This allows you to know which questions to ask your dentist when you come into the office.
There is a danger, however, of google-induced hypochondria. While there’s nothing wrong with researching a potential condition, leave the diagnosis to the professionals. It’s also important to make sure the site you’re visiting is reputable. There’s a lot of information out there that’s either inaccurate, phrased in a manner that’s designed to scare you or that only highlights worst-case scenarios. Stick to the reputable ones, like mayoclinic.org, but still let your dental professionals do the examining.
Computer-aided dental education
The internet has also revolutionized the way that aspiring dentists receive their education. “E-learning” has become common in virtually every field of study, including dentistry. Videoconference technologies have been in use as a supplement to a traditional dental education since the late 90s.
While advanced technology has yet to produce hoverboards, it does make finding and visiting the dentist easier. It also improves the way the dentist is able to give you top-notch dental care. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, make an appointment today and see how the dentist’s office has changed!