Using digital workflow and teledentistry to improve multidisciplinary assessment for hypodontia patients in a rural area: does it work?

The authors of this article have designed a multidisciplinary clinic in Dorset that reduces travel for hypodontia patients in rural areas and uses a digital workflow. Patients attend a clinic with their consultant orthodontist and are joined by video calls (Microsoft Teams) from their consultant in restorative dentistry. The authors have evaluated the effectiveness of this clinic from the viewpoint of both patients and clinicians. Participants in the evaluation included 53 patients who attended the clinic and six clinical team members. The results showed that patients and parents overwhelmingly felt the new clinic structure was successful. Clinicians felt it brought numerous benefits, including enhanced data gathering, greater collaboration and increased teaching opportunities. CPD/Clinical Relevance: CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article provides an example of how a digital workflow and teledentistry can reduce travel for hypodontia patients and could be replicated in other regions, particularly in more rural locations.