Dentistry is a hands-on profession, so it's fair to ask what a dentist can do over video. Quite a lot, as it turns out. Teledentistry won't replace an examination in the chair, but it's useful for triaging urgent problems, reviewing healing after treatment, monitoring aligner progress, answering cosmetic enquiries and reaching patients in regional areas or aged care.
This guide explains where teledentistry fits in an Australian practice, the professional standards that apply, how to set it up and how to charge for it.
This article is general information for practice owners, not clinical or legal advice.
Key takeaways
- Teledentistry works best for triage, reviews, consultations and monitoring, not for diagnosis that needs an examination or imaging.
- Ahpra and the National Boards expect the same standard of care in virtual consultations as in person.
- Use secure platforms, keep proper records and get consent, including for any recording or photos.
- Most teledentistry consults are privately billed. Check what any health fund or government scheme covers before promising rebates.
- Good use cases save patients trips and help you prioritise chair time.
Types of teledentistry
- Live video consultations: real-time conversations between the dentist and patient
- Store-and-forward: patients send photos, videos or forms for the dentist to review later
- Remote monitoring: regular photo or scan check-ins, for example during aligner treatment
- Practitioner-to-practitioner: a dentist consulting a specialist about a shared patient
Where it works well
Urgent triage
A patient with pain or swelling can show the problem on video. The dentist can assess urgency, give appropriate interim advice and arrange the right appointment, or direct the patient to emergency care if needed.
Post-treatment reviews
Checking healing after an extraction or minor surgery, where an in-person visit may not be needed.
Orthodontic and aligner monitoring
Regular remote check-ins between in-person appointments.
Initial cosmetic and treatment consultations
Discussing options, expectations and costs before the patient commits to an in-person assessment.
Regional, remote and aged care patients
Reducing travel for patients who live far from the practice or have limited mobility, including residents of aged care facilities, with the help of carers or nursing staff.
Second opinions and follow-up questions
Explaining a treatment plan or answering questions after an appointment.
Where it doesn't work
- Anything that needs a clinical examination, probing, percussion or imaging to diagnose
- Prescribing that would be unsafe without an in-person assessment
- Emergencies that need immediate care: patients should be directed to emergency services
Professional standards
Ahpra and the National Boards published updated guidance on virtual care in August 2024, with further updates since. The key principles for dental practitioners include:
- The same standards apply. Your code of conduct and professional obligations are the same whether care is in person or virtual.
- Decide whether virtual care is appropriate for each patient and situation, and arrange an in-person visit when it isn't.
- You're responsible for the care you provide by video, not your employer or the platform.
- Keep proper records of every virtual consultation, as you would for an in-person visit.
- Get informed consent, including about the limitations of a virtual consultation.
Read the current guidance on the Ahpra and Dental Board of Australia websites, as it's been updated over time.
Privacy and security
- Use a secure platform designed for healthcare, not personal messaging apps.
- Tell patients if the session is recorded, and why. Recording rules differ between states. See call recording laws in Australia.
- Store photos and videos securely as part of the clinical record.
- Check where data is processed. See patient data and AI vendors.
Setting it up
- Choose your use cases. Start with one or two, such as emergency triage and post-op reviews.
- Pick a platform that's secure, easy for patients to join from a phone and ideally integrated with your booking system.
- Write protocols: who's eligible, what the consult covers, when to convert to an in-person visit, and how to document.
- Set fees and explain them clearly when booking.
- Prepare patients: send a link, tips for good lighting and camera angles, and what to have ready.
- Train the front desk to offer virtual appointments where appropriate.
Charging for teledentistry
Most teledentistry consultations are billed privately. Coverage by private health funds and government schemes varies and may change, so check before advertising any rebates. Be clear about fees before the consultation, and follow Ahpra's advertising rules if you promote the service. See Ahpra advertising rules.
How it fits with the front desk
Teledentistry often starts with a phone call or website enquiry. Your front desk, or an AI receptionist, can identify suitable cases, explain how virtual consultations work and book them, while sending urgent cases through your emergency protocol. See how AI receptionists handle dental emergency calls.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dentist diagnose by video?
Some assessments are possible, but many dental diagnoses need an examination and imaging. The dentist must decide whether virtual care is appropriate and arrange an in-person visit when it isn't.
Can I see interstate patients by video?
Dental registration in Australia is national, so registered dentists can generally provide virtual care to patients in other states. Consider whether follow-up in-person care is practical.
Is teledentistry useful for aged care?
Yes, it can help with triage and reviews for residents, with carers assisting. It works best alongside regular in-person care.
Next steps
Pick one teledentistry use case and pilot it for a month. For more on modern practice technology, read what's worth adopting in 2027, or see how IntelliDent's AI agents can book virtual and in-person appointments around the clock.