The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted dental services, resulting in reduced staff availability, limited appointments, and some dental clinics even being forced to close their doors. Despite these challenges, the need for dental consultants remained present, particularly in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Oral Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03215-4 |
| _version_ | 1797778669525008384 |
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| author | Karen Homsi Vinitha Ramachandran Dhammacari Martin Del Campo Laura Martin Del Campo Budi Kusnoto Phimon Atsawasuwan Grace Viana Maysaa Oubaidin Veerasathpurush Allareddy Mohammed H. Elnagar |
| author_facet | Karen Homsi Vinitha Ramachandran Dhammacari Martin Del Campo Laura Martin Del Campo Budi Kusnoto Phimon Atsawasuwan Grace Viana Maysaa Oubaidin Veerasathpurush Allareddy Mohammed H. Elnagar |
| author_sort | Karen Homsi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted dental services, resulting in reduced staff availability, limited appointments, and some dental clinics even being forced to close their doors. Despite these challenges, the need for dental consultants remained present, particularly in emergency situations. One area of orthodontics that had seen a surge in demand during the pandemic is Teleorthodontics. With the help of Teleorthodontics, orthodontic consultations, assessments, and even treatment monitoring could be conducted remotely, making it a safe and convenient option for patients during those challenging times. Aim This survey aimed to evaluate the acceptance of patients and their orthodontists on the use of different modes of communication through Teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and their willingness to continue using this in the future. Methods An online survey instrument in Qualtrics was distributed to orthodontic patients at the University of Illinois, Chicago. The survey was available on a rolling basis for up to 6 months. A total number of 364 partients voluntarily participated in the survey. The Faculty and Residents were also asked to participate in a survey through recruitment via their UIC email addresses. Results According to our survey, both patients and providers showed acceptance of Teleorthodontics and have used it in different forms during orthodontic treatment. The application is easy-to-use, convenient, and not at all time-consuming. Overall satisfaction with using this application was recorded at 92%, with 66% of patients stating that it saved them time by eliminating the need to travel to the orthodontic clinic. 30% of providers found that the interaction with patients using Teleorthodontics was a positive experience and would recommend it in future. Conclusion Teleorthodontics has shown great potential, particularly in follow-up cases, and holds promise as a valuable tool for online remote dental consultations in the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:20:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f0fb290f90a6445ca3d0f5119806b7bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6831 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:20:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-f0fb290f90a6445ca3d0f5119806b7bb2023-07-16T11:30:12ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312023-07-012311910.1186/s12903-023-03215-4The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providersKaren Homsi0Vinitha Ramachandran1Dhammacari Martin Del Campo2Laura Martin Del Campo3Budi Kusnoto4Phimon Atsawasuwan5Grace Viana6Maysaa Oubaidin7Veerasathpurush Allareddy8Mohammed H. Elnagar9Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoDepartment of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois ChicagoAbstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted dental services, resulting in reduced staff availability, limited appointments, and some dental clinics even being forced to close their doors. Despite these challenges, the need for dental consultants remained present, particularly in emergency situations. One area of orthodontics that had seen a surge in demand during the pandemic is Teleorthodontics. With the help of Teleorthodontics, orthodontic consultations, assessments, and even treatment monitoring could be conducted remotely, making it a safe and convenient option for patients during those challenging times. Aim This survey aimed to evaluate the acceptance of patients and their orthodontists on the use of different modes of communication through Teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and their willingness to continue using this in the future. Methods An online survey instrument in Qualtrics was distributed to orthodontic patients at the University of Illinois, Chicago. The survey was available on a rolling basis for up to 6 months. A total number of 364 partients voluntarily participated in the survey. The Faculty and Residents were also asked to participate in a survey through recruitment via their UIC email addresses. Results According to our survey, both patients and providers showed acceptance of Teleorthodontics and have used it in different forms during orthodontic treatment. The application is easy-to-use, convenient, and not at all time-consuming. Overall satisfaction with using this application was recorded at 92%, with 66% of patients stating that it saved them time by eliminating the need to travel to the orthodontic clinic. 30% of providers found that the interaction with patients using Teleorthodontics was a positive experience and would recommend it in future. Conclusion Teleorthodontics has shown great potential, particularly in follow-up cases, and holds promise as a valuable tool for online remote dental consultations in the future.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03215-4COVID-19TeledentistryTeleorthodonticsDistant Dental care |
| spellingShingle | Karen Homsi Vinitha Ramachandran Dhammacari Martin Del Campo Laura Martin Del Campo Budi Kusnoto Phimon Atsawasuwan Grace Viana Maysaa Oubaidin Veerasathpurush Allareddy Mohammed H. Elnagar The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers BMC Oral Health COVID-19 Teledentistry Teleorthodontics Distant Dental care |
| title | The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers |
| title_full | The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers |
| title_fullStr | The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers |
| title_short | The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – perspectives of patients and providers |
| title_sort | use of teleorthodontics during the covid 19 pandemic and beyond perspectives of patients and providers |
| topic | COVID-19 Teledentistry Teleorthodontics Distant Dental care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03215-4 |
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