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Is Teledentistry a Feasible Alternative for People Who Need Special Care?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2022

Mehmet Melih Omezli ,
Damla Torul Open the ORCID record for Damla Torul [Opens in a new window]  and
Eyup Birkan Yilmaz
Mehmet Melih Omezli
Affiliation:
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey
Damla Torul*
Affiliation:
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey
Eyup Birkan Yilmaz
Affiliation:
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey
*
Corresponding author: Damla Torul, Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of teledentistry as a vehicle that provides enhanced delivery of oral care for the people who need special care (PNSC).

Methods:

Between January 2018 and September 2020, PNSC who were admitted in the study were either waiting for a follow-up (F) appointment or on a waiting list. An examination via video call was carried out for initial examination (IE) and F purposes. The virtual examination was scored by the clinician who performed the examinations. The experience of the participants was evaluated with a satisfaction questionnaire.

Results:

Forty PNSC (26 females, 14 males) between ages 7 and 48 years (21.17 ± 10.62) participated in the study. According to the clinician ratings, the accuracy of the examination was rated as the lowest. The F group had higher scores when compared to the IE group regarding clinician rating. No significant differences were found in terms of the scoring of the clinician and patient/parent satisfaction regarding cooperation status and type of examination (P ≥ 0.05).

Conclusions:

Through adequate adaptation of the technology into clinical practice and overcoming the barriers for wider implementation, the teledentistry approach could be a reliable and feasible alternative in triaging, treatment planning, and F purposes for PNSC.

Keywords

disabilitym-Healthremote care
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e129
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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