Assessing the Utilisation of TELedentistry from Perspectives of Early Career Dental Practitioners - Development of the UTEL Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction: Teledentistry has allowed for the provision of dental care remotely. It has benefitted people living in regional, rural and remote communities. The use of teledentistry rapidly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimise transmission risk while still allowing for the provision of care, especially during mandated lockdowns. Aim: This study aims to pilot and assess the validity of a questionnaire developed to understand early career dental practitioners’ opinions regarding teledentistry in Australia. Method: Registered early career dental practitioners currently working in Australia were invited to participate. Participants were asked to respond to a series of questions regarding teledentistry on themes containing diagnosis, accessibility, patient care, technology and finances. In addition, participants were asked for feedback upon the conclusion of the questionnaire. Results: A total of 23 dental practitioners (60% female, age range 20–34) participated in this study. Work experiences ranged from 0–10 years. A total of 18 participants worked in metropolitan areas, while five worked in regional areas. All participants used teledentistry for approximately 1–9 hours per week. Over 82% of participants believed that telehealth was effective for consultations, and over 90% believed it was more convenient than face-to-face consultations. However, over 78% believed teledentistry was ineffective for diagnosing complex dental cases. Over 95% of participants believed that teledentistry improved patient healthcare access and was beneficial during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. All participants believed that teledentistry was a useful tool for post-operative care, and over 86% of participants felt that patients accepted teledentistry. Conclusion: This questionnaire effectively determines the utilisation of teledentistry during a global pandemic from the perspective of early career dental practitioners.