COVID-19 Impact on the Tele-Dentistry in Healthcare Industry
PRICE IMPACT
The COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the global economy. Several establishments have to remain shut while others to scale down the operations or put on hold expansion plans as they tried to survive the unprecedented crisis. Despite the current crisis, the healthcare issue in the country continues to reel under the positive impact of COVID-19. There has been a significant rise in both, in-patient and out-patient footfall for some hospital chains as is it a single specialty, multi-specialty, private hospitals, tertiary-care hospitals or even diagnostics businesses, during this lockdown. Among all, the tele-dentistry is the remote facilitating way of dental treatment via information technology rather than face to face contact. Thus, tele-dentistry is complementing the existing compromised dental system during the on-going pandemic. With the help of simple tools such as smartphone and laptop webcams, dentists can provide vulnerable services to dental patients’ safety in their home thereby eliminating the risk of infection.
The price is not impacted significantly as several entities are continuing to conduct the tele-dentistry treatments for dental patient. Additionally, during COVID-19, tele-dentistry is proven to be a useful tool to evaluate the urgent basis patient’s requirements and measure the severity of the conditions with the help of technology.
IMPACT ON DEMAND
The demand for tele-dentistry amid pandemic has witness a significant growth. The valuable benefits offers by the tele-dentistry includes increased safety of the patients as physically dental practices is risky for patients, it also added revenue for the doctors providing services and virtual appointments which help them making money and incased access to care in rural areas as it can be a useful tool to help citizens of less populated and under developed regions across oral health services. Additionally, senior citizens (over age 60) who contracted COVID-19 are at a greater risk for health complications, illness or even death.
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According to dental economics, the studies states that Americans across the U.S. over the last years seen a large number of older patients seeking dentals services. Hence, tele-dentistry can help pre-screen the patients’ health for symptoms. The demand will likely to boost in forecasted timeframe as it also reduce waiting time and reduce one source of potential contamination to the patient. The cost of tele-dentistry is also lower and a person getting quality care in this concept will definitely admire it. The virtual appointment with the doctors for health checkup makes it an exciting concept for a person and his family. Thus, the overall high demand is expected for the tele-dentistry in a forecasted timeframe.
IMPACT ON SUPPLY CHAIN
The tele-dentistry being conducted with the help of information technology and telecommunications is not likely to be affected for their services facilities amid current pandemic. In fact, it is complicating the scenario and helps in maintaining social distancing norms. The patients can seek the treatment from their home shelter and helps in preventing themselves from the virus spread. The tactics to deliver virtual health and educational services is not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it helps in enhancement of education and delivery to their patients. Furthermore, the tele-dentistry can connect private practices with outreach programs that are also engaged in social responsibility.Read more…