Dental check up via webcam possible now!

London, Jan 24: Most of us dislike sitting in a dentist chair with our mouths wide open.

Its time to close the mouth with a sigh of relief as dentists are now giving check-ups over the internet, terming it the way of the future. Dentist Jerry Watson has started examining patients' teeth via webcam. Patients still have to go to his clinic to be filmed and have a 50-pound clean by a hygienist at the same time. He then views the clips via the Internet and decides if the patient needs to be checked in person but the technology could ultimately mean people getting a check-up at home.

Dr Watson, who is expanding his practice to 20 more UK sites, said the webcam would enable him to monitor patients at all his clinics without leaving his surgery. ''There's no reason people couldn't get seen from home if they've a high-quality camera,'' he said.

In future, we can also have cameras in electric toothbrushes.

UNI