image captured with TelScope Telehealth System
image captured with TelScope Telehealth System
PROBLEM
A 14 year old girl reported one morning to our office with a chief complaint of, “the roof of my mouth feels raw, like it is peeling, and it hurts.” This has been going on for one day.
DIAGNOSIS
This is an easy one, with one question and one view.
The first image, taken with the TelScope Telehealth System intraoral camera on an iPhone, clearly shows a broad region of the anterior tissue of the hard palate is red with some of the surface epithelium (tissue) missing. The second image, zoomed in and marked utilizing one of the editing features of the TelScope app, reveals why this would indeed be uncomfortable.
The one question was “Did you eat pizza last night?”
The answer was “yes.”
The diagnosis is a tissue burn from the hot cheese that can stick to the palate, causing a raw palate. The treatment is palliative, as it will heal quickly. It was recommended to take ibuprofen if needed for pain, change to a bland and softer diet for 3-4 days, avoid acidic beverages, and consider yogurt or other foods that soothe and coat. It was also recommended, in good humor, to consider “blowing on it next time!”
The final diagnosis is a raw palate.
COMMENTARY
This image was taken in the dental office. However, had the family had a TelScope intraoral camera located conveniently at home to attach to any mobile smart device, the trip would have been unnecessary. This is a great example of a case that could be handled remotely through teledentistry from home, or from a TelScope equipped physician’s office or urgent care facility if the patient had reported there instead. The high quality illuminated and captured image, transmitted securely, combined with a brief history from the patient and parent would have been more than sufficient to diagnose the problem and make appropriate recommendations.
You can learn more about and find an authorized distributor for TelScope Telehealth System here.
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About the Author: Dr. Richard Simpson, DMD
Dr. Richard is a board certified pediatric dentist in private practice.
His achievements include:
• Diplomate in the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
• Fellow in the American College of Dentists
• Fellow in the International College of Dentists
• Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• Advisory Board Member of The TeleDentists
• Advisory Board Member of Holland Healthcare
Dr. Richard’s experience and active interests include telehealth, child advocacy, health disparities, policy, and advancing improved medical-dental access to care. Dr. Richard is also a veteran with 15 years of military service.
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This content is for information only. This content is not for advice, diagnosis, or
guarantee of outcome for patients. No patients should use the information,
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