The e-DENT teledentistry project: Achievements, lessons learned, and perspectives

In October 2010, the decree n degrees 2010-1229 relating to telemedicine, published in the "Journal officiel de la republique francaise" (JORF) n degrees 0245 of October 21, 2010, specified the terms of the application of telemedicine in France. The practice of remote oral medicine is now becoming more widespread in the country. Since 2010, the dental public health team of the University Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier and the University of Montpellier has been working on the subject, with nearly ten thousand telemedicine acts performed as part of the work of the "First consultation and telemedicine" Medical Activity Unit of the Center for Dental Care, Teaching and Research (CSERD) of the CHU of Montpellier. Various studies have been conducted with multiple target populations to evaluate the value of teledentistry in different settings. The practice of teledentistry should help fight against inequalities of access to care and prevention in France. It has shown to be beneficial for patients, health professionals, dentists and health institutions, but improvements are needed to structure and perpetuate this practice. The profession must make major decisions and relaunch discussions so that France remains one of the leaders in this field.