Remote communications

Since lockdown began, I have lost count of the number of video meetings I have taken part in, but like everyone else in our new world order I have become used to this new way of working. What has surprised me, however, is the way in which the general public has embraced remote communications. Who would have thought that quiz nights, date nights and family get-togethers over Zoom would have become a perfectly acceptable way to spend time with each other? Necessity truly is the mother of invention.

The fact is that, faced with no alternative, we have all just ‘made it work’. We have become familiar with remote working and video conferencing and it has fast become an accepted, if not relished, substitute to seeing people face-to-face.

Dentistry can learn a lot from consumer experience in this area and should now look to build on the positive progress made over the last several months. Teledentistry segues perfectly into our ‘new reality’ and is now set to come of age – playing an important role in providing an opportunity for clinicians to triage patients, provide consultations, and enable post-treatment follow-up care – all achievable with just a computer, laptop or mobile device and a decent internet connection.