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CC BY 4.0 · Eur J Dent
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1801301
Original Article

Perception and Attitudes of Dental Professionals on Teledentistry: A Cross-Sectional Study

Yousuf Moosa 
1   Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
,
Lakshman Perera Samaranayake 
2   Department of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
3   Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
,
Pagaporn Pantuwadee Pisarnturakit 
1   Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Abstract

Objectives This study aims to explore the beliefs and attitudes related to the adoption of teledentistry among Pakistani dental professionals, focusing on data security, practice enhancement, and patient benefits.

Material and Methods A cross-sectional study on a 5-point Likert scale assessed four domains of teledentistry: data security and patient consent, practice improvement capabilities, usefulness for dental practice, and patient benefits, among dental professionals through electronic forms. Demographic data and items from four domains were analyzed by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation tests, respectively, using SPSS, with a p-value of < 0.05 set as statistically significant.

Results A large percentage (59.8%) of the 408 dental professionals raised issues related to data security with 52% showing concerns about securing patient consent. Most professionals (61.8%) acknowledged the potential of teledentistry in reducing waiting times. Gender, age, qualifications, and work experience were found to be associated with individual perceptions of teledentistry. Females were more skeptical on teledentistry capabilities (p < 0.000) while younger, more than the older professionals had heightened worries about data security (p < 0.000). Specialists viewed teledentistry favorably compared with other professionals (p < 0.000). Professionals with more than 5 years of experience expressed optimism, on how teledentistry could improve practice efficiency and patient outcomes (p < 0.000).

Conclusion This report on the views and attitudes of Pakistani dental professionals toward teledentistry indicates their positive perception of teledentistry, citing its potential to enhance practice and benefit patients. Overcoming data security concerns and improving education on teledentistry benefits could foster broader acceptance and utilization of this technology.

Keywords

dentist - dentistry - remote/rural - self-perception - teledentistry - telemedicine

Principle Findings

A cohort of Pakistani dental professionals expressed positive views of teledentistry, despite concerns over data security. They recognized its potential for reducing patient waiting periods and improving clinical care.


Authors' Contribution

Y.M.: Writing–original draft, methodology, investigation, data curation, and conceptualization. L.P.S.: Writing–review and editing, visualization, validation, and formal analysis. P.P.P.: Writing–review and editing, visualization, validation, supervision, methodology, and investigation.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
12 March 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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