Virtual consultations for oral surgery patients

Abstract

Background Following Covid-19, many departments have incorporated teledentistry into practice. As new consultation methods are introduced, it’s imperative that patients have as similar an experience with virtual consultations to ensure informed decision-making. This project evaluated patients' perceptions of video consultations and determined if patients seen virtually received the same standard of information by auditing compliance with sending patient information leaflets (PILs) following video consultation. Method The department’s PILs were used to create an inclusion list for patients requiring a PIL. A retrospective audit assessed the notes of 100 video consultations for records of if PILs were sent and by what method. The department’s PILs were digitalised and a clinical mailbox introduced enabling clinicians to email patients a PIL hyperlink. The audit was repeated for 88 video consultations. Patient and staff feedback was gathered via online surveys. Results Initially, 51% of cases met the criteria requiring a PIL and 16% of patients were sent PILs. Following mailbox introduction, 53% of cases met the criteria and 94% were sent PILs, 100% via email. Patient and staff feedback was positive regarding video consultations and digital PILS. Technical difficulties were reported in 44% of cases. Conclusions Patients perceive virtual consultations to be a positive change and the introduction of a mailbox enhances video consultations in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Patient information can be standardised, via digital PILs, regardless of consultation type. As departments implement post-pandemic changes, utilisation of a mailbox can provide multiple improvements to care.

Relevance of Teledentistry: Brief Report and Future Perspectives

“…The main barriers to change within a healthcare setting include increased workload, inadequate staff commitment and their attitude towards the intervention, and lack of support and training [32]. A great help to overcoming these barriers may consist in a user friendly, time-efficient, and uncomplicated clinical mailbox: the use of email templates containing the hyperlinks to each digital information leaflet allows clinicians to "personalize" each patient's email in an efficient manner by deleting the notpertinent information [33]. Many software applications have been suggested, some of them requiring the use of complex devices for communication and others requiring the use of only a smartphone, and yet others combining a smartphone plus a tool able to correctly capture the images sent to the clinician.…”

Teledentistry: A bibliometric analysis of the scientific publication’s trend

“…It can also promote oral health in patients of all age groups. 15 , 25 , 28 , 38 – 44 Telemedicine, including teledentistry, is an ever-expanding practice worldwide. It is projected to grow 20% additionally over the next five years and revenue growth from 38B dollars in 2018 to 130B dollars by 2025 in the USA.…”

Teledentistry in pediatric dentistry: Postgraduate dental students’ knowledge, practice, and attitudes

“…Previous studies have evaluated the utilization and efficacy of teledentistry in different fields, reporting that this tool could enhance oral healthcare delivery. 5 – 9 For instance, a recent study indicated that using teledentistry for orthodontic treatment follow-up reduced the number of appointments and shortened the treatment time by improving appliance tracking. 10 Another study compared the diagnostic accuracy of teledentistry and clinical dental examination in pediatric dentistry, finding no significant difference between the two assessment methods.…”