Press release
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, MouthWatch LLC has assembled a group of thought leaders to focus on the delivery of dental care via teledentistry. The TeleDent COVID-19 Advisory Board is tasked with developing best-practice protocols for implementing teledentistry in this new reality of urgent care only.
The board will endeavor to expand teledentistry beyond the current coronavirus pandemic through its timely teledentistry-focused education and training materials for dental professionals.
Among the topics that board members will emphasize include:
• Establishing oral triage protocols
• Implementing proper coding
• Coordinating dental team participation
• Developing virtual workflows
• Conducting live consultations
• Explaining legal and regulatory parameters
According to MouthWatch CEO and Founder, Brant Herman:
Many care providers are trying to figure out how to properly implement teledentistry so they can deliver urgent patient care. Our goal is to fill this information gap and to also ensure that teledentistry adoption and utilization continues long after the pandemic is over. I’m confident that we have the right advisory board in place to help us achieve these goals.
The TeleDent COVID-19 Advisory Board consists of these teledentistry thought leaders:
Margaret Scarlett, DMD, is an infectious and chronic disease prevention specialist, dentist, and author. For 30 years, Dr. Scarlett has provided expert guidance on infectious diseases and infection control as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the United States Agency for International Development, the American Red Cross, and many consumer health companies.
Paul Glassman, DDS, MA, MBA, is the founder of the Virtual Dental Home Program, whereby he and his team at the University of the Pacific developed a more efficient way to connect patients to dental care through the combination of technology and innovation. This care-delivery model—combined with his efforts in education, supporting legislative changes that involve teledentistry, and improving access to care—has helped create a landscape where more and more programs and providers are interested in teledentistry and the opportunities it creates.
Scott Howell, DMD, MPH, FSCD, is an assistant professor and director of teledentistry at A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. He has a strong background in mobile dentistry and innovative care models focused on teledentistry and public health. Dr. Howell developed imaging protocols to implement comprehensive teledentistry assessments and continues to contribute innovative care delivery programs to the ATSU curriculum and dental students.
Scott H. Froum, DDS, is a board-certified periodontist and a clinical associate professor at SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in the department of periodontics. He is also chief editor of Perio-Implant Advisory. Dr. Froum has lectured nationally and internationally on implant therapy, bone and gum regeneration, and clinical complications. He recently began using teledentistry in his New York City practice to provide his patients with emergency care services.
Patti DiGangi, RDH, BS, believes dentistry is no longer just about fixing teeth; rather, dentistry is oral medicine, and it’s time we got around to truly practicing it. DiGangi’s specialty is medically necessary coding. Her efforts have assisted thousands of dental professionals in coding more accurately and efficiently. The American Dental Association recognized her expertise by inviting her to write a chapter in its CDT 2017 Companion book and again for CDT 2018 Companion. She holds publishing and speaking licenses with the ADA for Current Dental Terminology 2020. DiGangi is a strong advocate for teledentistry and the coauthor of Teledentistry: Pathway to Prosperity, Critical Choices.
Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, has been a dental clinician since 2000. She is currently a practicing hygienist, speaker, writer, content developer, consultant, and podcast cohost for A Tale of Two Hygienists. With a master's degree in dental hygiene education and a belief in lifelong learning, she hopes to continue to learn and grow within the dental profession and one day see the gap bridged between medicine and dentistry. Strange currently uses teledentistry in her volunteer work with a dental clinic in South Carolina.
The dental community will soon be able to gain a deeper understanding of how to use teledentistry during the coronavirus epidemic thanks to white papers, guest blogs, webinars, e-books, and articles that will be developed in close collaboration with the TeleDent COVID-19 Advisory Board. Visit mouthwatch.com for more information.
About MouthWatch LLC—Headquartered in Metuchen, New Jersey, MouthWatch LLC is a leader in innovative clinician-focused teledentistry solutions, digital case presentation tools, and intraoral imaging devices. The company is dedicated to finding new ways to improve the dental health experience for both patients and providers. The founders and management team of MouthWatch have relevant backgrounds and successful track records in dentistry, consumer products, and communications. Since 2012, this team has pioneered the integration of digital imagery and communications technology in the field of dentistry. Their cumulative experience makes it possible for the company to take the lead in introducing the benefits of telemedicine to the world of dentistry.
Editor’s note: This article is an edited version of a press release issued April 2, 2020, by MouthWatch LLC. Press releases may be submitted to [email protected] for review and posting consideration.
