AWARENESS OF DENTISTS REGARDING USE OF TELE-DENTISTRY DURING PANDEMIC OF CORONA VIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of dentists regarding use of tele-dentistry in pandemic of COVID-19 and to determine dentist’s perceived obstacles in its practicability.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, AFID Rawalpindi, from April 2020 to May 2020.

Methodology: After taking approval from ethical committee a questionnaire using google forms was shared through social media using emails and WhatsApp groups to 172 dentists including general dentists, consultants and post graduate residents out of which 156 responded. The questionnaire included socio-demographic details, questions pertaining to the knowledge, attitude and practice of dentists towards the use of tele-dentistry during COVID-19 pandemic and various obstacles in its applicability.

Results: One hundred and twenty (76.6%) participants had a knowledge of tele-dentistry despite that 135 (80.8%) had never used it. One hundred and forty (89.9%) of the respondents agree that tele-dentistry is an effective way to triage patients for problem-focused evaluations in order to limit office visits of patients during COVID-19 outbreak. However, 124 (79.6%) responded that tele-dentistry was not available at their setup.

Conclusion: The present survey concluded that majority of the participants had a fair knowledge and awareness regarding tele-dentistry, its benefits, applicability in pandemic of COVID-19 but had never used it. The use of tele-dentistry is not that common due to barriers such as unavailability and lack of education and training of the dental professionals.