Teledentistry in the Recovery Phase of Covid-19: Is it a Reasonable Option for Developing Countries?

Abstract

Dear Editor,

Telehealth as described by the World Health Organization (WHO) is delivering healthcare to a
patient by a doctor using media devices when both are far away from each other. Telemedicine
has been discussed as a modality to provide better access to health from the early 1990s 1 . The
recent outbreak of Covid-19 has made this modality a good alternative keeping in mind the
comfort and safety of the patient. It has also made it a much more common practice.

Recent research has supported the notion that both the service providers and users are highly
satisfied by this modality. Teledentistry does not contribute to the progress of disease and is
much more cost-effective 2 . According to a study by Greenhalgh et al., that online video
consultation was better suited to people with chronic ailments but surprisingly they played a
pivotal role in managing acute conditions also in this Covid-19 pandemic 3 . Teledentistry has
become an integral part of the healthcare system of developed countries such as Australia and the
United States