Going to the dentist used to strictly mean sitting in a chair, but in 2026, your first interaction with a provider is increasingly likely to happen through a screen. Faced with a chronic shortage of hygienists and administrative staff, dental practices are aggressively adopting “Teledentistry” to triage patients before they ever enter the building. This shift allows dentists to filter out non-emergencies and handle routine post-op checks without occupying a valuable physical chair. While convenient, this digital layer often comes with a “Virtual Consult Fee” ranging from $45 to $75 that insurance may not fully cover. Understanding when to say “yes” to a video call and when to demand an in-person visit is the new skill patients need to master.
