While we all patiently wait out the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are worried about the everyday issues of our lives like doctor and dentist appointments, veterinarian visits, and what to do when there’s a leak in your dishwasher.
And, what do you do if a toothache flares up?
Just recently a company called dentalcorp, considered Canada’s largest network of dental practices, announced a nationwide launch of a free virtual dental triage service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accessible through hellodent.com, this online directory connects people with practices in dentalcorp’s network to patients who are then virtually screened by local dentists in their province through secure online chat, audio or video channels, where they can describe their symptoms, receive prompt diagnoses, and, where appropriate, be prescribed medication.
If necessary, the dentist will refer the patient to an emergency dental clinic in their area.
Consults are offered from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with an under 15-minute wait time to speak with a dentist live.
With regulatory authorities across Canada ordering dental practices to halt all non-emergency services, thousands of dental offices have temporarily closed and patients are finding it increasingly difficult to quickly and safely connect with a dentist to address their dental needs.
By allowing Canadians to securely connect with a dentist from the comfort of home to discuss their symptoms and determine whether they have a true dental emergency, dentalcorp is helping to keep patients out of emergency rooms while ensuring they have access to care for their urgent dental needs.
“As a leading network of healthcare providers, it is our top priority to ensure the health and well-being of our patients, team members and the broader community,” says dentalcorp’s founder and CEO, Graham Rosenberg. “It is vitally important that we give patients options to obtain the dental care they need while doing our part to help flatten the curve. We’re proud to help Canadians receive virtual care, free of charge from the comfort and safety of their homes.”
The service is completely free to Canadians with dentists across the dentalcorp network volunteering their time and expertise.
For more information, check out dentalcorp.ca or hellodent.com.
