A reason to SMILE with Dr. Vilas Sastry, Founder of TeleDentistry.com
Americans spend an estimated $2.5 billion a year in emergency rooms on dental problems that an ER isn’t equipped to fix. Dr. Vilas Sastri set out to change that. In this episode, he shares how tele-dentistry is keeping patients out of the ER, how uninsured families can finally afford care, and why your mouth may be one of the best windows into your long-term health.
In this episode:
Tele-dentistry and emergency care. Dr. Sastri founded TeleDentistry.com in 2017 to give patients an alternative to the ER during nights and weekends. Patients connect virtually with a licensed dentist, can receive prescriptions for immediate relief, and get referred to a local in-network dentist from a network of 117,000 providers. The service is accepted by 109 insurance carriers, covering roughly 150 million Americans.
The Smarty Plan for the uninsured. An estimated 72 to 75 million Americans have no dental insurance. Dr. Sastri created the Smarty Plan, a national discount membership covering dental, vision, and hearing. Members get reduced-cost in-person treatment through the Cigna network plus virtual telehealth access.
Preventive, biological, and longevity dentistry. Dentistry is shifting from reactive emergency care toward prevention and longevity, with the goal of keeping your original teeth for life. Dr. Sastri explains how saliva testing measures biomarkers, pH, and bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans (a primary cause of tooth decay) to assess risk for decay and periodontal disease. He also discusses the strong link between oral health and systemic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and endocarditis.
Care that comes to you. For patients in rural areas, TeleDentistry.com offers home impression kits that use 3D printing and CAD/CAM technology to create temporary tooth appliances. Prescription-strength home care products, such as specific fluoride or vitamin treatments, can be shipped directly to patients.
Dr. Sastri’s top 3 recommendations:
- Get regular check-ups on a schedule tailored to your needs, not just what your insurance covers.
- Try vitamin E oil on your gums to help reduce inflammation and support tissue recovery.
- Master the basics: brush and floss consistently, every day.
Resources:
No dental insurance? Learn more about the Smarty Plan: https://smartyplan.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_content=UESY6S56
This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental or medical advice.
Some links in these notes are affiliate links, which means The Wellness Index Report may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
