FYI

Teledentistry isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a smart, practical way to meet patients where they are. Many people skip dental appointments for lots of reasons: busy schedules, transportation issues, anxiety about visiting the dentist or simply not knowing if an in-person visit is really necessary. By offering teledentistry, you can remove one of the biggest barriers to care: getting to the chair. It gives your patients a convenient way to check-in, ask questions and get professional advice without having to rearrange their lives.

Wondering how to get started? Here’s a simple guide:

1. Identify the teledentistry needs of your practice

Evaluate how teledentistry could benefit both current and prospective patients  especially those with limited access, time constraints or specific concerns. Highlight the convenience of virtual visits for follow-ups, urgent issues and after-hours care. For regulatory information, contact your state dental board or association.

2. Identify patient use cases

Determine which teledentistry use cases align with your patients’ needs and what’s permitted and reimbursable in your state. Start with one use case to simplify implementation and expand as needed. Choose and invest in the appropriate technology based on your intended approach.

3. Design workflows to support use cases

Decide who on your team will handle each part of the teledentistry visit and what technology they'll use. Build a clear workflow — for example, how to respond to after-hours emergencies, collect images and assess symptoms remotely. Use a structured assessment format like SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) and document everything in the patient’s chart.

4. Train staff and providers

It’s critical to train staff on what teledentistry is, its application, and when to use the technology. This will help ensure that staff can deploy it appropriately and integrate it into workflows. Allocate time and space for staff training specific to the technology (e.g., teledentistry software or intraoral camera or scanner).

5. Start with a simple use case

Pilot the program with one provider and a few patients to work out the kinks. Track what types of visits you’re doing and how patients and staff respond. Use the feedback to improve, build momentum and grow your teledentistry services over time. 
 

Delta Dental policy and billing

Delta Dental accepts claims for services provided via teledentistry. Before treatment, verify the patient’s eligibility for teledentistry benefits under their plan.
 

1. Use evaluation codes: D0140, D0170 or D0171.
2. Add teledentistry codes:
   • D9995 for synchronous (live) sessions
   • D9996 for asynchronous interactions
      

Note: D9995 and D9996 are considered part of overall patient management and are not billable to the patient. Standard policies apply to evaluation codes.