Disclaimer: Insurance administration and dental billing recommendations, as well as interpretations of the CDT codes, represent the opinions of our experts. For the latest CDT codes and official interpretations, contact the American Dental Association or visit ADA.org. You are responsible for your own use of the CDT Codes, insurance administration, and dental billing. Laws and individual situations may vary; consult with a licensed healthcare attorney for legal counsel and advice on compliance with state and federal laws.

Beyond the Chair: Why Teledentistry is the Future (and the Future is NOW)

Remember the days when the only way to see a patient’s “weird tooth thing” was to have them physically come into the office and sit in your chair? You know – the good ole days. Well, fast forward through a global pandemic and a massive digital shift, and the landscape has changed quite drastically. In the United States, what used to be a niche service for remote areas or house calls is expected to produce roughly $1.4 million in revenue by 2030.

If you’ve been on the fence about teledentistry, it may be time to hop on over. Teledentistry is about accessibility, efficiency, and growing your practice in a digital-first world.

What should you know now about teledentistry?

The ADA defines teledentistry as the use of telehealth systems and methodologies in dentistry. To keep your practice compliant and your billing accurate, you need to know the four main modalities:

1. Live Video (synchronous) – This is the real-time, two-way interaction between a person and a provider using audiovisual telecommunications.
2. Store-and-Forward (asynchronous) – This is the transmission of recorded health information – such as radiographs – through a secure electronic communications system to a provider.
3. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) – This is the collection of data in one location via electronic communication and then transmitting the data via a data processing service to a different location for use.
4. Mobile Health (mHealth) – This is health care and public health practice and education supported by mobile communication devices such as cell phones, tablets, etc.

Now, try not to let the fact that there are four different and unique modalities for telehealth scare you off, as there are only two CDT codes to encompass teledentistry. These codes are: D9995 Teledentistry – Synchronous; Real-Time Encounter, and D9996 Teledentistry – Asynchronous; Information Stored and Forwarded to Dentist for Subsequent Review. When submitting a claim for either of these codes, select 02 (Telehealth) as the Place of Service (POS) in Box 38 on the 2024 ADA Dental Claim Form. Also, remember that codes D9995 and D9996 would be reported in addition to any other procedure delivered to the patient on the same date of service.

Understand the difference between teledentistry then and now.

During the height of the pandemic, many dental practices began utilizing teledentistry for the first time, as we were in unprecedented times. In a March 2020 bulletin, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) was a bit more relaxed about how to navigate using teledentistry due to the circumstances. They released a statement stating that they would not impose HIPAA violations against healthcare providers who “in good faith provide telehealth using non-public facing audio or video communication products, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.”

With that said, it was never okay, nor is it okay now, to utilize public platforms for telehealth communication. That means that platforms such as Facebook Live, Twitch, and TikTok are not allowed because they are public-facing and may allow for unrestricted access to the communication. These social media platforms do not provide the level of security needed. 

Translation: Dancing dentist videos to diagnose patients are not permitted!

Teledentistry offers powerhouse benefits that can transform your daily operations and your bottom line.

Teledentistry grants you incredible triage power, allowing you to quickly determine if a patient’s emergency truly warrants an immediate office visit on a Friday night or if it can comfortably wait until Monday morning. It also provides an expanded care reach, potentially bridging the gap for patients such as senior citizens in long-term care or rural patients who struggle with access.

Since state laws vary wildly and are constantly evolving, best practice is to verify regulations with your State Dental Board and/or licensed healthcare attorney before diving into the world of teledentistry. At the end of the day, remember this: Teledentistry was not just to help busy dental practices get through the pandemic. Years later, it is truly the future of healthcare – and the future is NOW. 

To take your teledentistry knowledge to the next level, grab your copy of the 2026 edition of Dental Administration with Confidence. Head straight to the chapter on teledentistry to learn how to modernize your patient experience with confidence today.

Source:

Practice Booster (2026). Dental Administration with Confidence (pp. 193-196). 2025 eAssist Publishing, LLC.