ASSESSMENT OF CLINICIAN ACCEPTABILITY FOR THE MODERN TOOL OF TELEDENTISTRY

Abstract

Background: Teledentistry refers to providing dental care remotely using technology instead of direct patient contact, saving time and travel costs for patients. However, it may face challenges such as internet or phone connectivity issues, outdated software, and limitations in assessing certain cases. Improvements could include raising awareness in remote areas and enhancing internet infrastructure.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of clinicians on the use of teledentistry, assessing its effectiveness in various dental care settings, particularly in improving access to oral healthcare, reducing operational costs, and providing remote consultations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A survey was conducted among 188 dental clinicians, evaluating their attitudes towards teledentistry across 12 key questions, such as its role in consultations, education, cost reduction, and future adoption. The study was conducted at Institute of dentistry, CMH Lahore Medical College from January 2024 to June 2024. The participants were grouped by age, educational background, and prior experience with teledentistry. Data were analyzed based on the responses to Likert-scale questions, ranging from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree."

Results: The majority of respondents (63.8%) had previous experience with teledentistry. Key findings showed that 77.6% of clinicians agreed that teledentistry facilitates consultation with experts regarding specific patient problems. Similarly, 77.6% believed it is effective in dental education. However, only 43.6% felt that teledentistry examinations were as accurate as traditional in-office settings. Cost and time efficiency were highlighted, with 65.9% agreeing teledentistry reduces operational costs and 71.3% agreeing that it saves time for dentists. Importantly, 75.5% of respondents indicated a willingness to adopt teledentistry in the future, despite concerns about diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion: Teledentistry is broadly accepted among clinicians for its ability to improve access to care, streamline operations, and reduce costs. However, skepticism remains regarding the diagnostic precision compared to traditional dental settings. The findings are consistent with global trends in teledentistry adoption, which emphasize the need for enhanced technological infrastructure, training, and integration into routine dental practice to optimize its benefits. The results suggest that with improved accuracy and supportive frameworks, teledentistry could play a crucial role in the future of dental care delivery, especially in underserved regions.