IADR Abstract Archives
Teledentistry Utilization During-and-After the COVID-19 Shutdown: a Retrospective Study
Objectives: This study analyzed claims data from the dental clinics of a university in the USA to explore utilization patterns, procedure prevalence, and patient demographics relevant to the use of teledentistry.
Methods: Claims data for teledentistry visits (CDT codes D9995 or D9996) were extracted from the dental school’s electronic health record, axiUm, covering March 2020 to April 2024. Claim frequencies, patient demographics, and procedure details were analyzed. A structural change analysis identified shifts in claim volume during the COVID-19 shutdown (March–July 2020) and post-reopening (August 2020–April 2024).
Results: The data comprised 375 teledentistry claims from 288 patients, with most using the service only once (83.3%). During the shutdown, 149 claims averaged 1.34 claims/day, compared to 226 post-reopening, averaging 0.17 claims/day over four years. A structural breakpoint in November 2020 showed claims dropping from 6.8 to 0.76 per week. The most common procedure accompanied by a teledentistry claim was D0140 (limited oral evaluation), which was used in 96.1% of claims during the shutdown but fell to 82.6% post-shutdown (p<0.001). Patients opting to use teledentistry during the shutdown were slightly older compared to those utilizing it post-reopening (mean age: 42.7 vs. 37.8 years, p=0.04). More males used teledentistry during the shutdown, and more females did so afterward, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.28). Similarly, White patient numbers increased post-reopening, while other racial groups remained relatively unchanged, though this difference was also not statistically significant (p=0.37).
Conclusions: Teledentistry usage spiked during the COVID-19 shutdown but declined significantly after reopening with virtually no significant differences in utilization by patient demographics. It was mainly used for limited oral evaluations during the shutdown but saw a steady decrease afterward, reflecting the adaptation of telehealth in response to global emergencies like the pandemic.
Methods: Claims data for teledentistry visits (CDT codes D9995 or D9996) were extracted from the dental school’s electronic health record, axiUm, covering March 2020 to April 2024. Claim frequencies, patient demographics, and procedure details were analyzed. A structural change analysis identified shifts in claim volume during the COVID-19 shutdown (March–July 2020) and post-reopening (August 2020–April 2024).
Results: The data comprised 375 teledentistry claims from 288 patients, with most using the service only once (83.3%). During the shutdown, 149 claims averaged 1.34 claims/day, compared to 226 post-reopening, averaging 0.17 claims/day over four years. A structural breakpoint in November 2020 showed claims dropping from 6.8 to 0.76 per week. The most common procedure accompanied by a teledentistry claim was D0140 (limited oral evaluation), which was used in 96.1% of claims during the shutdown but fell to 82.6% post-shutdown (p<0.001). Patients opting to use teledentistry during the shutdown were slightly older compared to those utilizing it post-reopening (mean age: 42.7 vs. 37.8 years, p=0.04). More males used teledentistry during the shutdown, and more females did so afterward, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.28). Similarly, White patient numbers increased post-reopening, while other racial groups remained relatively unchanged, though this difference was also not statistically significant (p=0.37).
Conclusions: Teledentistry usage spiked during the COVID-19 shutdown but declined significantly after reopening with virtually no significant differences in utilization by patient demographics. It was mainly used for limited oral evaluations during the shutdown but saw a steady decrease afterward, reflecting the adaptation of telehealth in response to global emergencies like the pandemic.