Teledentistry:

TCP is promoting the deployment of teledentistry–the use of technology to provide dental care at a distance—and the electronic exchange of information to ensure underserved children receive high-quality dental care that is coordinated with their overall health care. Using such tools as video conferencing, digital cameras, web applications, and other electronic applications, teledentistry is showing promise as a valuable way to meet the dental health needs of children. By being able to connect to dentists and other dental health providers at a distant site, teledentistry increases access to dental care, while allowing children to stay in school and parents to stay at work.

Care Coordination:

In addition, well-developed systems that electronically connect multiple providers in health care, dental care, mental health, education, juvenile justice, and child welfare agencies can improve health and wellness outcomes for children by enhancing care coordination.

Wider Use of Telehealth:

Telehealth--the use of technology to provide health care at a distance, using such tools as video conferencing, digital cameras, Web applications, and other electronic applications--is showing promise as a valuable way to meet the dental health needs of children. Read about the benefits of telehealth for children here and how it is being deployed in schools to meet the health care needs of children here.