Knowledge and Awareness of Teledentistry among Dental Professionals - A Cross Sectional Study

• Published in: Journal of clinical and diagnostic research Vol. 9; no. 8; pp. ZC41 - ZC44
• Main Authors: Boringi, Mamatha, Waghray, Shefali, Lavanya, Reddy, Babu, Dara Balaji Gandhi, Badam, Raj Kumar, Harsha, Niharika, Garlapati, Komali, Chavva, Sunanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India JCDR Research and Publications (P) Limited 01.08.2015; JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
• Subjects: dental care; Dentistry Section; oral health; technology; Dental Care; Technology; Oral Health
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X
• DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/13303.6320

The use of technology in the form of smart phones and other electronic media in day to day life has become an integral part of life today. Technology today is seeing a paradigm shift towards better inter-professional communications which can help doctors, patients and the masses as a whole. Putting these technological advancements to good use evolves as a major milestone in medicine/ dentistry in the form of telemedicine/teledentistry. The present study was aimed at knowing the knowledge and awareness of teledentistry among dental professionals of a dental college in India. The study was conducted in a dental college in India and was circulated among dental professionals. A questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge and awareness of teledentistry and was circulated among dental professionals in a dental college. The data thus collected was statistically analysed and results obtained. The data collected was statistically analysed using SPSS software. A total of 406 persons responded to the questionnaire. In the present study it was found that the knowledge and awareness about teledentistry was very low among post graduates (7.23%) and interns (9.38%) when compared to I & II BDS while most of them agreed that teledentistry is a practice of dentistry through various media options with limited application in dentistry without a legal issue. In the present study, it was apparent that most of the respondents were lacking adequate knowledge and awareness on teledentistry. Hence, there is an immense need to create awareness among dental professionals on teledentistry as the future lies in technological advancement. Tele dentistry can mark the beginning of a new era in dentistry. This can be achieved by conducting CDE programs and awareness campaigns/programs which helps in various levels.