Using teledentistry in clinical practice as an enabler to improve access to clinical care: A qualitative systematic review.

Abstract

Background Access to dental care is important for overall health, but can remain problematic for those in rural or isolated locations. It can be difficult to encourage clinicians to choose or continue a rural health career. Teledentistry is showing some promise as a strategy to support rural, isolated and new health care workers. This study aims to explore the quantitative and qualitative framework associated with teledentistry in an effort to uncover the interaction of multiple influences on its delivery and sustainability. Methods A systematic search of the literature was undertaken and studies were included if they evaluated consultative teledentistry, reports on implementation of teledentistry in practice or attitudes to teledentistry. Studies were evaluated qualitatively. Results Thirty-nine studies were included focusing on the accuracy, effectiveness or description a teledentistry project in practice. Five main themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: (1) using information and communication technology (ICT), (2) regulatory and system improvements, (3) accuracy of teledentistry, (4) effectiveness, including increasing access to clinical services, efficiencies and acceptability, and (5) building and increasing clinical capacity of the dental workforce. Conclusion Teledentistry provides a viable option for remote screening, diagnosis, consultation, treatment planning and mentoring in the field of dentistry. Rapidly developing information and communication technologies have increasingly shown improving cost effectiveness, accuracy and efficient remote assistance for clinicians. There is high acceptability for teledentistry amongst clinicians and patients alike. Remuneration of advising clinicians is critical to sustainability.

Analysis of the asynchronous dental teleconsulting of Telehealth Brazil Networks in Minas Gerais

“…Telehealth has the potential to reduce time to diagnosis, 2 avoid unnecessary patient travel, optimize financial resources without compromising the quality of care, 3,4,5 and improve the resolution of care. 6 In general, telehealth has good acceptability by professionals and patients 5 , and enables better work conditions and less isolation of professionals working in remote areas, favoring their stay in these locations. 7 Teledentistry has growing applications in dentistry, increasing access and improving health services.…”

Improving Person-Centered Access to Dental Care: The Walk-In Dental Encounters in Non-Emergency Situations (WIDENESS)

“…), proposal for another appointment strategy for patients that are frequently late, or handling of patients' worries (semi-urgent cases) within a reasonable time frame (2-7 days) [12], including communication on the telephone [26]. WIDENESS timeslots could also allow dentists to analyze observations from teledentistry examinations [27]. More generally, such organization would allow dentists to "manage patient singularity on a large scale" [28], helping them to provide "socially competent" services [29,30].…”

Rekam Medis Elektronik Menggunakan Sistem Penyimpanan Foto Intraoral Gigi untuk Aplikasi Teledentistry berbasis Internet of Things

“…Dengan adanya teledentistry ini akan dapat meningkatkan pemerataan akses layanan kesehatan gigi ke semua daerah terutama di negara berkembang, peningkatan kualitas layanan dan meningkatnya akses antara berbagai level layanan kesehatan [8] . Teledentistry dapat diterima cukup baik di antara para pemberi layanan kesehatan dan pasien dengan meningkatnya efisiensi waktu, efisiensi perjalanan, dan juga biaya [9] . Dalam penelitian lain juga disebutkan bahwa teledentistry juga meningkatkan akses terhadap layanan kesehatan bagi lansia dan penyandang disabilitas [10] .…”