Teledentistry Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Technology innovation: Advances in AI, cloud computing, and integrated telehealth platforms are fundamentally driving the teledentistry market. These technologies allow more accurate diagnostics and easier management of patients on virtual platforms, which ultimately raises the quality and efficiency of dental care. In January 2021, TeleDentists teamed up with Holland Healthcare, Inc. to deliver on-demand teledentistry via the TelScope Telehealth system. This partnership reflects the growing use of digital health tools in teledentistry, improving access and flexibility for patients and boosting market expansion.
• Convenience and accessibility: The demand for virtual healthcare services from underserved populations is one of the major growth factors for teledentistry. Virtual platforms allow patients to receive dental care from their homes, thus helping regions that are lacking in dental services. For example, in August 2023, DentaQuest partnered with Teledentistry.com to extend virtual care to underserved populations to bridge gaps in access afterhours. This tie-up is indeed a typical example of how the industry leverages convenience to widen its reach, especially in regions that have inadequate dental infrastructure.
• Government support: Government policies promote the expansion of telehealth services and, accordingly, speed up the growth of teledentistry. This involves incentives to utilize digital healthcare tools and improved reimbursement frameworks that encourage more providers to adopt telehealth solutions. For instance, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 has an extension of telehealth flexibilities necessary for Medicare providers to provide remote services without geographic restrictions until the end of December 2024. This policy will not only promote the growth and development of teledentistry but also improve access to oral health care in rural and underserved areas.

Challenges

• Challenges in regulations and licensing: Different regulations and licensing requirements in various regions limit the scalability of teledentistry. In this regard, differences in telehealth laws across states or countries reduce the possibility of providers offering cross-border services and scaling. For example, a dentist licensed to practice in one state may not be allowed to practice through telehealth in another state because of different licensure rules. This fragmentation brings administrative challenges that are acting as a deterrent to wider adoption.
• Patient awareness and adoption: While teledentistry enjoys apparent advantages in the fields of convenience and accessibility, it faces a lack of awareness, especially among older populations, not as familiar with telehealth technologies. Most patients either remain unaware of the availability of services or lack the technological literacy to engage with these platforms. This is particularly evident in rural and underserved communities.