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You have full access to this article via your institution. Download PDF Sir, the _BDJ_ has recently published articles describing the use of remote consultations in dentistry during the

COVID-19 pandemic.1,2,3 I would like to draw attention to considerations for teaching undergraduate students and trainees this new type of communication skill. While demonstrating their

value, remote consultations also have limitations, for example being unable to carry out a full soft tissue examination,2 and may increase the risk of missing a serious diagnosis or

misdiagnosing. This has also been noted by the medical profession, particularly around telephone consultation, where clinician experience and skill are deemed to reduce risk.4 From my

experience working in hospital oral surgery and oral medicine services during the pandemic, a multitude of factors inform a risk assessment that influences whether a patient is seen remotely

or face-to-face, including: patient complaints/concerns about their oral health, NHS trust policy, patient wishes, type of oral disease/problem (confirmed or suspected), patient's

accessibility to a device for a remote consultation, distance a patient would travel to our clinic, prevalence of COVID-19, patient's general health and vulnerability to COVID-19.

Furthermore, remote consultation requires a different communication approach and arguably more thorough history taking to triage those that require a face-to-face appointment. It seems

inevitable that remote consultation will become a permanent and useful element of dentistry owing to the potential for improved efficiency and accessibility. With the start of the academic

year upon us, as dental hospitals and schools, we will need to consider how to teach this new skill set to our students and trainees. This could involve utilisation of observation, role play

and peer review to develop both remote communication skills and competencies in facilitating a joint decision with patients about the most appropriate consultation mode. REFERENCES * Rahman

N, Nathwani S, Kandiah T. Teledentistry from a patient perspective during the coronavirus pandemic. _Br Dent J_ 2020. doi:10.1038/s41415-020-1919-6. * Patel T, Wong J. The role of real-time

interactive video consultations in dental practice during the recovery and restoration phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. _Br Dent J_ 2020; 229: 196-200. * Gladwin L. From face-to-face to

face-time: is the future of dental appointments virtual? _Br Dent J_ 2020; 229: 301. * Greenhalgh T, Vijayaraghavan S, Wherton J _et al._ Virtual online consultations: advantages and

limitations (VOCAL) study. _BMJ Open_ 2016; 6: e009388. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009388. Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * By email, Dundee, UK M. Dobson

Authors * M. Dobson View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE

Dobson, M. Teaching remote consultation . _Br Dent J_ 229, 397–398 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2236-9 Download citation * Published: 09 October 2020 * Issue Date: October 2020

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