Communication in digital radiology

The long-distance transfer of dental radiographs was explored as early as the 1920s. The practicality of such image transfer has improved through advances in telecommunications and computer networks (both hardware and software) and the emerging trends towards direct and indirect digital imaging techniques for recording oral and maxillofacial radiographs. This paper reviews the current status of communication in digital dental radiology. It is illustrated by personal observations from a variety of demonstration projects.