Videoconferencing: what are the benefits for dental practice?

For more than 3 years members of the TeleDent team from Bristol University have been looking at the potential of videoconferencing technology for dentistry. Here they explain what videoconferencing is and how it can help the GDP. They discuss examples of its most promising uses for the profession, which include professional updating and providing diagnostic support at a distance. They describe the equipment that is needed, the different types of system available and give an indication of costs. A suggested procedure for using the technology for remote referrals is outlined. 'Store and forward' techniques are also discussed. These do not involve a live video but involve the sending of static electronic files. This approach is compared with videoconferencing, and the article looks at the question of which will be best suited to the GDP, and for what purposes.