--- title: "DentalMonitoring Alternative for UK Practices" url: https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/dentalmonitoring-alternative description: "DentalMonitoring alternative for UK practices — guided photo monitoring from patients' own phones, no ScanBox hardware, included in your subscription." updated: 2026-09-07T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- # DentalMonitoring Alternative for UK Orthodontic Practices Monitor patients remotely between appointments using guided photo submissions from their own smartphone — no ScanBox, no hardware subscription, and no separate platform to manage. [Start Free Trial](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/account/register) [Book Demo](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/book-demo) ## What is the difference between DentalMonitoring and a smartphone-based alternative? The main difference is hardware: DentalMonitoring relies on a proprietary ScanBox device, while Virtual Consultant Online reviews guided photos captured on the patient's own smartphone. Your team sets configurable review cycles and issue flags, and monitoring sits in the same platform as remote assessments, digital quotes and follow-up automation — so there is no separate app or purchased hardware to manage. For UK practices where asking patients to buy or borrow a ScanBox creates friction, a smartphone-based approach removes that barrier while keeping monitoring structured and trackable. ### Dental monitoring Review periodic patient photo submissions, flag issues, and extend appointment intervals without proprietary hardware. [Open page](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/dental-monitoring) ### Guided photo intake Patients submit structured photos from their phone using step-by-step guides — no specialist device needed. [Open page](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/guided-photo-intake) ### Remote assessments Review new enquiries and existing patients remotely before committing chair time. [Open page](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/remote-assessments) ### Triage engine Patients report issues through structured categories with appropriate photo requirements and urgency levels. [Open page](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/triage-engine) ### Automated follow-up Monitoring reminders, review nudges, and check-in prompts run automatically without extra admin. [Open page](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/automated-follow-up) ### Software comparison Compare the full digital consultation and monitoring workflow across platforms. [Open page](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-software-comparison) ## Hardware-free monitoring — how it works Virtual Consultant Online's dental monitoring feature works through guided photo submissions. Patients receive periodic check-in prompts and submit photos through a structured flow on their own smartphone. Your practice team reviews submitted photos in the dashboard, flags any issues, adjusts the monitoring schedule, or triggers a recall when needed. No ScanBox, no patient-side hardware purchase, and no additional hardware subscription is required. ## The case for hardware-free monitoring in UK practices DentalMonitoring's ScanBox device costs several hundred pounds per unit and must either be provided by the practice or purchased by each patient. In the UK private orthodontic market, where patients are already paying significant treatment fees, asking them to purchase a monitoring device or lending multiple devices across a patient cohort creates practical barriers. Hardware-free monitoring based on guided photos removes this friction — patients can comply from day one using a device they already own. ## What monitoring is included in the Virtual Consultant Online subscription Monitoring is part of the standard platform subscription — there is no separate monitoring add-on or per-patient monitoring fee beyond your fixed plan cost. Practices can configure how often patients are asked to submit photos, what photo angles are required, which team member reviews each case, and what triggers an escalation or appointment recall. The workflow is visible in the same dashboard your team uses for assessments, quotes, and follow-up. ## AI-assisted analysis vs team-led review DentalMonitoring uses AI algorithms to automatically detect common issues from scan data, which can reduce the time a team member spends on routine review. Virtual Consultant Online takes a team-led approach: photos are reviewed by your own staff, with the platform providing workflow structure, case visibility, and issue flagging. For practices that want automation of the monitoring workflow rather than AI-assisted interpretation of individual scans, the Virtual Consultant Online approach may better fit how they prefer to operate. ## What Virtual Consultant Online does not replace Virtual Consultant Online's monitoring is not a direct substitute for DentalMonitoring's FDA-cleared AI-assisted scan analysis. DentalMonitoring's technology is designed for practices that want algorithmically-reviewed scan data with documented decision support. Virtual Consultant Online is better suited for practices that want a structured, team-reviewed photo check-in workflow that reduces unnecessary appointments without requiring hardware or additional AI licensing. ### Frequently Asked Questions Does Virtual Consultant Online require any hardware for monitoring? No. Patients use their own smartphone to submit guided photos. There is no ScanBox, no device to purchase or lend, and no patient-side hardware requirement of any kind. The practice team reviews photos in the standard platform dashboard, alongside remote assessments, quotes and follow-up, rather than in a separate monitoring app or portal. How often can patients be asked to submit monitoring photos? Monitoring review cycles are configurable per patient or patient group. You can set weekly, fortnightly, or monthly check-in prompts depending on the treatment stage, appliance type, and review frequency needed. Automated reminders prompt patients to submit when a check-in is due. Is monitoring billed separately from the main subscription? No. Monitoring is included in the Standard and Premium subscription, with no separate per-patient monitoring fee to budget for as your active caseload grows. Optional usage-based charges only apply to SMS messaging and photo-analysis features if you choose to enable them, so the core monitoring workflow itself carries no additional cost. Can Virtual Consultant Online replace DentalMonitoring entirely? For practices that primarily use DentalMonitoring for appointment reduction and patient check-ins — and do not rely on AI-assisted scan analysis — Virtual Consultant Online can serve the same monitoring need. For practices that rely on DentalMonitoring's AI-reviewed scan data for documented decision support, the two products serve a different purpose. Does Virtual Consultant Online handle the full patient journey or just monitoring? Virtual Consultant Online covers the full pre-treatment and in-treatment commercial workflow: guided photo intake for new enquiries, remote case review, multi-option digital quotes, automated follow-up, dental monitoring for active patients, triage for in-treatment issues, and practice reporting. Monitoring is one feature within a broader platform rather than a standalone module. How does the guided photo submission work for patients? Patients receive a check-in prompt via SMS or email at their configured monitoring interval. The prompt contains a link to a guided photo flow that walks them through each required angle step by step — using example images and live camera guidance on their smartphone. Submitted photos land in the practice dashboard immediately, where the reviewing team member can assess them, add notes, flag issues, or trigger an appointment recall. Patients do not need to download a separate app — the flow works in any mobile browser. Can practices configure different monitoring schedules per patient? Yes. Monitoring intervals can be set per patient or per patient group, allowing practices to review aligner patients monthly, retention patients quarterly, and complex cases more frequently. When a patient's treatment stage changes — for example, moving from active aligner treatment to retention — the monitoring schedule can be updated without resetting the patient record. Automated prompts adjust to the new interval automatically, reducing the manual admin involved in maintaining accurate review cycles across a large active patient list. How does Virtual Consultant Online compare to DentalMonitoring on price? DentalMonitoring charges a per-patient monitoring fee plus the cost of ScanBox devices — either purchased by the patient or provided by the practice. Virtual Consultant Online includes monitoring as part of the standard subscription with no per-patient monitoring fee. For practices with high patient volumes, the cost difference is material. Practices should model their current active monitoring list against both pricing structures to compare total annual cost, taking into account both the software subscription and any hardware or per-patient costs that apply under each model. Explore Virtual Consultant Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore how Virtual Consultant supports your practice — from guided photo intake and remote assessments to digital quotes, automation, monitoring and integrations. Start a free trial when ready to create a demo account with no bank details required. Explore [Feature Hub](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians) [Start Free Trial](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/account/register) [Buying Guide](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-software-buying-guide) [Financial Benefits](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-software-financial-benefits) [Lead Management](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-lead-management-software) [CRM Alternative](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-crm-alternative) [Multi-Site](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-software-for-multi-site-practices) [Reporting](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-reporting-software) [Enquiry Management](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-enquiry-management-software) [Case Acceptance](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-case-acceptance-software) [Treatment Coordinator](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/orthodontic-treatment-coordinator-software) [Pricing](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/costs/clinician/pricing-plans) [About](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/about/clinicians) [Remote Assessments](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/remote-assessments) [Digital Quotes](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/digital-quotes) [Automated Follow-Up](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/automated-follow-up) [Dental Monitoring](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/dental-monitoring) [Integrations API](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/clinicians/features/integrations-api) ## See the workflow inside Virtual Consultant Online Start a free trial or book a demo to review the patient intake, quote and follow-up workflow. [Start free trial](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/account/register) [Book demo](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/book-demo) Citation details Title DentalMonitoring Alternative for UK Practices Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-09-07 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/dentalmonitoring-alternative](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/dentalmonitoring-alternative)