To make it easier for customers to access an emergency dental consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cigna said that it is launching Dental Virtual Care.
“We fast-tracked our efforts to launch Cigna Dental Virtual Care to help dentists and their patients access an urgent dental consult while minimizing their risk of COVID-19 exposure,” said Frederick E. Scardellette, vice president of Cigna Dental & Vision.
“This virtual solution is a simple and convenient option to help our customers access care during this unprecedented time,” said Scardellette.
Keeping emergency oral health issues from crowded emergency rooms is critically important to minimize the transmission of COVID-19, Cigna said, which is why the ADA recommends that practices screen patients for dental emergencies via teledentistry.
Dental Virtual Care will be available through Cigna’s growing network of dental providers that offer teledentistry, the company said. Cigna also is partnering with the TeleDentists, a national virtual care dental provider with more than 300 dentists.
Through a video consultation, licensed dentists can triage urgent situations such as pain, infection, and swelling and guide the customers on next steps. If necessary, the dentist will prescribe medications, such as antibiotics and non-narcotic pain relievers.
Cigna Dental Virtual Care will be available to more than 16 million dental customers enrolled in its employer-sponsored insurance plans at no cost through May 31, 2020. The service will continue after the pandemic, subject to state regulations and benefit plan design.
This virtual care solution is part of Cigna Dental Health Connect, a suite of clinical programs designed to help employers provide meaningful dental care services tailored for their workforce, the company said.
Customers who need an urgent dental consultation should call their dentist and ask if they use teledentistry or use mycigna.com to access the TeleDentists, Cigna said.
Related Articles
SmileDirectClub Offers Teledentistry Platform to All Dentists for Free
Teledentistry for a Prosperous Future
Focus On: Teledentistry for Private Practice
