Date of Award

12-20-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

Dr. Narjis Rizvi

Second Advisor

Dr. Jai K Das

Third Advisor

Anam Feroz

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Teledentistry can be used to enhance access to dental care by reducing treatment and travel costs. Considering the new technological advancements, teledentistry can be a feasible way to provide oral health care services to remote populations with no access to oral health care services. Teledentistry can also improve the quality of dental care by sharing patient information remotely with dental specialists and getting their advice in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Objective: This systematic review aimed to assess the validity and feasibility of teledentistry in diagnosing dental caries among children and adolescents (6-18 years). Methods We developed search strategies for different databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Dentistry and oral sciences source) using MESH terms and keywords. Two reviewers screened the studies against the eligibility criteria. The “quality assessment for diagnostic accuracy studies2 (QUADAS-2)” tool was used to assess the risk of bias of the studies by the two reviewers. In case of any disagreement, the third reviewer was consulted. The results of sensitivity and specificity were used to create HSROC graph and forest plot.
Results: We included seven studies that met the inclusion criteria. One of the studies reported on feasibility while six studies reported on teledentistry's validity in diagnosing dental caries. We used sensitivity and specificity measures to assess the validity of teledentistry in caries v detection. The pooled sensitivity of teledentistry, when compared to visual examination, was 82%, and specificity was 90% with 86.7% accuracy. When the cost of teledentistry was compared with the visual examination method of dental screening over one year, the total estimated cost for teledentistry was 50 million dollars and 135 million dollars for visual examination. According to the study findings, teledentistry was 2.7 times less expensive than the visual examination method. The low cost was due to the avoidance of expenses for equipment, accommodation, and travel costs associated with the visual examination method.
Conclusion: Based on the limited findings, it is concluded that teledentistry is a potentially valid and feasible approach in diagnosing dental caries.

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