Practice Benefits (billing)

Practice Benefits of Dental Desensitization & Teledentistry

Dental desensitization services can increase your patient pool. It can help promote oral health and improve routine dental visits to patients who have intellectual or developmental disabilities as well as high anxiety to dental care. Patients often avoid visiting their dentist or deny treatment due to anxiety or other challenges. This causes the patient to be more susceptible to dental decay and pain. By promoting regular visits to the dentist and helping patients overcome their fear they are more likely to avoid dental emergencies. As health providers, we must do our part by providing these services and help patients understand that we are here to help.

In addition to dental desensitization services offering teledentistry exams and consultations are beneficial to both you and the patient. Teledentistry is an innovative way of communicating with your patient and also expanding your patient base. Offering teledentistry is an option to your patients who reside in rural areas, who are having a dental emergency,  and those who can not come into an office during normal business hours. In addition, this could be an initial step for desensitization for those who have a fear of the dental office so you can do a virtual meet and greet as well as a virtual walk-through of the office.

Teledentistry and dental desensitization services are both great ways to expand your patient base and make a difference in your patient’s life.

Incorporating Desensitization Services in your Office

Dental desensitization services can be incorporated into your office by blocking a time frame and an operatory room to be used as a dental mock room with a dental TEAM member. The purpose of the dental mock room is to expose and familiarize the patient with the operatory setting with minimal outside stimuli. Dental desensitization training can be done by office staff, dental assistants, hygienists, and doctors.

It is important if you decide to implement this service in your practice that you have a plan and your TEAM is trained. Dental desensitization requires gradual exposure to the dental environment, having a calm yet vibrant personality, and lots of patience. Keep in mind that every patient is different and progress varies.

Things to think about:

1. Your dental desensitization services should be in progressive stages. Do not push the patient over the limit as that might cause more fear and anxiety. For example, the first dental desensitization could be dedicated to the patient meeting the dental team and giving the patient a tour of the office.
2. Once the patient has become comfortable with the staff and the office, it is time to introduce the patient to some basics such as the dental chair,  basic (no sharp) instruments, etc… Again, it is okay if you only introduce the patient to one item, do not push the patient to do more than they can handle comfortably. Start with a mouth mirror, introduce the item, let them know the function, show them how it works, let them hold it, and then use it. Make sure to use voice techniques, rewards, and counting techniques. Once the patient has become comfortable, introduce them to a new item. The goal of introducing the patient to these basic tools is so that you may be able to perform an oral exam and dental cleaning.

If interested in learning more about the hierarchical order of introducing patients to certain items please watch our video tutorials with our highly trained professionals. We also have a downloadable dental desensitization tracker for you to follow.

Incorporating Teledentistry in your Office

To provide teledentistry services requires a portable x-ray machine, x-ray sensor, laptop, and intraoral camera. For teledentistry appointments, an x-ray certified employee travels to the patient’s house/facility and takes dentist-recommended radiographic images and pictures. Once these have been taken, the dentist reviews the x-rays and photos in the office, treatment plans, and schedules a follow-up call with your patient via phone or video to discuss findings and recommendations. If there is any treatment that is needed you can schedule your patient to come into your office to complete the treatment.

Billing for Services

• Include DentiCal Provider Bulletin on Teledensity Services
• Include DentiCal Provider Bulletin on Behavioral Management

• Who Qualifies
• Reimbursement amount: $140/visit/patient up to 4 visits per year

• Asynchronous Teledentistry Exam
• Synchronous Teledentistry Exam