UNMC College of Dentistry

Events, News & Outreach: | Nebraska Teledentistry Project | Practice Oportunities

Nebraska Teledentistry Project

The Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network provides the backbone for the Teledentistry Project. The Statewide Telehealth Network is an interactive video and data network which provides integration among hospitals, public health departments, public laboratories and other entities across the state. The major functions of the Network are to improve quality and access to care, provide education for patients and providers as well as to serve as a communication source in the event of a natural, man-made or terrorist emergency. While Nebraska is not the first state to develop a telehealth network, the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network is unrivaled in scope by any other state because of its connectivity. As of May, 2006, over seventy hospitals, nineteen public health departments and six bioterrorism labs were connected to the Network. Network traffic and volume increase on a daily basis.

Currently a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dental clinic is connected to the COD via the Network. In addition to providing consultations for oral pathology, prosthodontics, and periodontics, there’s a UNMC satellite dental hygiene program which is permanently located at the FQHC and real-time courses are provided from the COD via distance learning. Likewise Continuing Education courses are provided from the COD to the FQHC and local private practice dentists and their staff attend the Continuing Education courses at the FQHC.

Likewise several hospitals and local Health Departments have been connected via the Telehealth Network to the COD during the annual Dental Day events. During Dental Days, faculty and students travel to those rural sites which are connected to the COD and provide free dental care. Last year approximately 7 towns and 10 different sites were connected for the Dental Day activities, including two hospitals, one of which utilized the OR for dental cases. The Dental Day activities were coordinated with the local health departments and served as an emergency preparedness project for the Health Directors and their public health staff.

Recently, a private practice dental office in a remote area of the state has been added to the Network and another FQHC will also join the Network. Discussions are ongoing with hospitals that may have an interest in dedicating a part of their facility to the Teledentistry Project.

The UNMC, COD was the first dental Medicaid Teledentistry provider approved by the State of Nebraska and as such is eligible to bill Medicaid for Teledentistry services as well as transmission line time. The UNMC, COD is pleased to be a part of the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network and to provide the oral health expertise necessary for the development of a Teledentistry Network.

Last modified: July 18, 2008 1:10 PM