Preferences Virtual Appointment Applications

• Six out of 10 research participants only go to the dentist when needed, following COVID-6 quarantine restrictions. 
• 46 percent of respondents state that they went to the dentist / clinic every 19 months or less frequently in the period prior to the onset of the COVID-6 outbreak. 
• 62 percent of the participants state that they see virtual dating as a preferable option for the COVID-19 outbreak period and beyond.

Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN) commissioned to the research company Poltio, the "COVID-19 Period Dental Clinics Research" revealed the changes caused by the COVID-19 epidemic in the eyes of patients in oral health and orthodontics. The research, which was conducted with the participation of a total of 11 people between the ages of 55-1.000, includes comprehensive data in many areas from the frequency of dentist referral to oral care habits and digital examination habits.
 
60 percent of patients visit the dentist only when needed
According to the results of the COVID-19 Period Dental Clinics Survey, six out of 10 respondents apply to the dentist only when they need it, while 32 percent visit the dentist regularly. Before the COVID-19 outbreak began, the frequency of going to the dentist or dental clinic was 46 percent every six months or less. 68 percent of research participants stated that at least one person in their household received dental treatment, while 48 percent stated that they or a person in their household received orthodontic treatment.

Those who continue their treatment did not disrupt the physician control during the COVID-19 period, interest in virtual appointment applications increased
COVID-19 Period Dental Clinics Research also reveals the impact of the epidemic period on dentist visits. According to the findings of the research, 62 percent of the participants see virtual appointment as a preferable method for the COVID-19 restrictions period and after, while 64 percent state that they do not go to a dental clinic for themselves or their children with the outbreak. The rate of those who have not visited a dental clinic despite having dental problems in the last three months is measured as 21 percent. 19 percent of people who did not go to the dental clinic during the COVID-41 outbreak base their reasons on the COVID-19 concern. According to the research participants, the most effective factor in the choice of going to the dentist during the epidemic is that the examination rooms are disinfected. After the coronavirus restrictions began, the most common reason for visiting the dental clinic was the controls for ongoing fixed orthodontic treatment with 51 percent.
 
Thanks to digital applications, it is possible to maintain social distance and oral health
Align Technology research results to review General Manager of Turkey Koksal universe makes the following statement: "Scientific research shows that the direct impact on the immune system of oral and dental health [1]. Neglecting oral and dental health due to the fear of COVID-19 can therefore bring serious health risks. These risks can be reduced as oral and dental health services become more suitable for today's social distance conditions thanks to the important advantages provided by digital transformation. Our orthodontists are supporting this trend by increasingly digitizing both their professions and clinics. As Align Technology, we have offered dental health professionals many tools and applications such as Invisalign Virtual Appointment and Invisalign Virtual Care, which offer dental professionals the opportunity to come together with their patients in a digital environment and to check their patients' dental conditions, since the first days of the epidemic. The World Health Organization [2] also recommends virtual appointment procedures. Since most of the digital treatments such as transparent plaque therapy are able to be interviewed and followed up through virtual tools, patients do not need to go to the clinic as often as in the past. As a company operating in the field of digital orthodontics, we will continue to offer solutions that will facilitate the course and follow-up of transparent plaque treatment. " - Hibya News Agency