The American Teledentistry Association (ATDA) has launched to shape the conversation around the practice of teledentistry as a tool to increase access to care for millions of Americans through digital technology, according to the organization.
The group aims to be a source for education and a home for synergy between the industry, academia, and end users of teledentistry. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, it says, the ATDA plans to establish standards of care in teledentistry practice.
The ATDA is led by executive director Marc Ackerman, DMD, MBA. He is the director of orthodontics at Boston Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of developmental biology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
“The immediate goal of the ATDA is to educate dental professionals and the public about the benefits of teledentistry,” said Ackerman.
“Teledentistry has the ability to help patients get access to needed dental care they deserve, both affordably and conveniently. It’s our mission to modernize access to care through teledentistry with advocacy for the implementation of innovative teledentistry guidelines and solutions,” he said.
The ATDA has released its first position paper, “Teleorthodontics and Doctor-Directed at Home Clear Aligner Treatment.” To clarify some misconceptions about teleorthodontics, the ATDA says, the paper presents the most up to date evidence supporting this mode of treatment.
The ATDA’s corporate partners include Clinical Box, Heartland Dental, Rhinogram, and SmileDirectClub.
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