Dentists launch new video calling app to provide instant advice
A pair of forward-thinking dentists has launched the UK’s first official video calling dental app.
The Tooth Fairy app enables patients to connect with private and NHS dentists, providing access to advice without having to arrange an appointment at a practice or even leave the comfort of the couch. Deepak Aulak and Kian Dhinsa developed the app with a view to offering patients a convenient, quick means of accessing expert advice. The video calling service provides webcam consultations, allowing dentists to give patients advice, make diagnoses, prescribe antibiotics and recommend face-to-face appointments if required. The app is free to download, and there is a charge of £25 for a consultation.
In an age where more and more people are finding it difficult to get an appointment at a local surgery, the new app may offer a solution, but some patients are likely to be wary of trusting an online service. When you visit a dentist, you can talk to them, you can feel and see them looking around at your teeth and gums, and you can discuss potential problems and treatment options in person. Although the app is a speedy, convenient alternative, some people will always prefer going to the dentist. There is also a limit to how much treatment can be provided over a phone, and patients who require additional treatment will need to arrange an appointment with their dentist.
The founders of the app are hoping that it will be viewed as a trustworthy, convenient, reliable source of advice, which could help to ease waiting lists and provide patients with minor symptoms with reassurance and information that will facilitate effective treatment. One issue that could be helped is accidental overdoses, which are relatively common when taking painkillers for dental discomfort. The dental duo is hoping that seeking professional advice will help to prevent people from taking the wrong doses or becoming dependent on medication as an alternative to seeing a dentist.
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