Teledentistry links between Whangarei and Kaitaia

One News - May 2019

A new initiative in Northland is helping specialists see patients in remote communities almost immediately.

It's a region with some of the worst dental health statistics in the country, but a digital camera trial is already slashing specialists' travel time and meaning more patients can be seen faster.

The camera reaches around every molar and allows dental surgeon Ellen Clark to inspect a patient's teeth in Kaitaia while she is in Whangārei.

She told 1 NEWS it has cut her travel time by up to 25 per cent. "We've pockets and communities of kids all over the show and for a specialist to travel to that community for a whole day there's almost half a day of travel," Ms Clark says.

To read the full article: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/new-technology-allows-dentists-see-patients-remotely-in-region-high-rate-tooth-decay-children