CLINIC | DPC, the largest network of dental clinics in Lithuania, offers patients virtual consultations. Paulina Šlėvė, Marketing Manager at CLINIC | DPC, says that the remote consultation method allows patients to be cared for without having to be in the doctor’s office. “Many issues can be solved remotely – a consultation, a treatment plan or simply answering questions after a complex procedure. Often, patients come to us when they have a toothache and are in a kind of panic. During a remote consultation, the dentist can not only reassure you, but also give you information on what to do and how to help yourself before a visit to the dentist, if needed. A person may need help or advice at any time. It is important for us to be able to provide it immediately. Knowing that a doctor can give you all the information you need outside the consulting room really helps you feel safer and calmer,” says P. Šlėvė.
A convenient way to consult
Remote consultation is called teleodontology and is very popular in America. “Before the quarantine, tele-dentistry was often used by Lithuanians living abroad. We were also contacted from America, where this service is very popular. In these difficult times, remote consultations have become not only convenient but also the safest way to get a dental consultation. It saves patients’ time, preserves their health and helps us to reduce the number of physical contacts”, says Paulina Šlėvė.
CLINIC | DPC specialists provide remote treatment advice for new and existing patients, as well as advice on treatment and aftercare. CLINIC | DPC specialists can draw up a treatment plan after a virtual consultation, provide a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the treatment plan drawn up elsewhere or simply want a second opinion.
For an initial consultation to be truly useful, the doctor relies on more than just the patient’s story. Radiological and digital photographs, video footage and digital prints sent by the patient can be used. Remote consultations are available on weekdays between 8:00 and 20:00. However, in pre-arranged cases, a consultation can be given at any time of the day, on any day of the week.
“A consultation may be necessary if you want to learn more about the procedures and prepare for them. It’s also common for patients to not listen very carefully to what the doctor says after procedures. Then they go home and wonder – are my sensations normal after the procedure, is it healing well, how should I take care of it, what instructions were given? Then it’s best to contact a specialist who will remind, explain and reassure you again remotely”, advises Paulina, Marketing Manager at CLINIC | DPC.
Practical after complex procedures
Patients often seek a remote consultation after more complex procedures such as implants, root canal treatment, re-treatment, or surgical interventions. These procedures can cause discomfort, so it is very important for patients to understand whether the sensations are normal and whether the healing process is progressing properly. “The patient’s relationship with the doctor after implantation or other more complex procedures helps to ensure that the treatment goes well and that the results are good. Although the implant procedure itself is nowadays completely safe, takes a short time and usually produces excellent results, it can sometimes cause some discomfort. Most patients are able to cope with it easily, but there are those who are extremely sensitive and start to worry. In this case, it is best to consult a doctor. He or she will reiterate the correct care of dental implants and share advice,” says Paulina Šlėvė.
Distance education for better oral care
Another remote service that patients are discovering the benefits of is consultation for those who have questions related not to treatment but to dental care and prevention. CLINIC | DPC dental hygienists can advise on the best oral care products and methods. They can also provide guidance on children’s dental care or conduct educational remote sessions. “There are so many oral care products and tools available today that it’s easy to get lost in the options. Just as we visit a cosmetologist to help choose better cosmetics, why not trust a dental hygienist with selecting oral care products? They are well-versed in which active ingredients are beneficial and which are harmful. Based on an individual’s specific needs, they can recommend what works best. It’s especially important to educate both parents and children about effective brushing techniques when oral care habits are still developing. With a dental hygienist’s guidance, these habits can be established so that the child will have healthy and well-maintained teeth in the future. Our sessions not only help children develop diligent dental care routines but are also engaging and interesting,” says P. Šlėvė.
Treatment by installment
In addition, CLINIC | DPC has set up an e-shop for the dental network to make it easy and fast for patients to pay for their remote consultations. It offers the possibility to pay for a remote consultation and to buy a gift voucher.
At CLINIC | DPC centers, dental services can be purchased under very favorable terms with “SB Lizingas”—the first 12 months without any additional costs! Clinic staff can also check a patient’s eligibility for installment payment remotely. It is understood that sometimes dental procedures can be a significant financial challenge, but investing in your health always pays off. Therefore, if needed, you can take advantage of this partner offer and pay for the dental services received or needed at a later date.
