TY - JOUR
T1 - The utilisation of teledentistry in Australia
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Lee, Joshua
AU - Park, Joon Soo
AU - Feng, Boxi
AU - Wang, Kate N.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/10
Y1 - 2024/10
N2 - Background: Teledentistry is the usage of information-based technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely. It is used to deliver care in regional, rural and remote regions and was particularly useful to deliver care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine teledentistry utilisation in Australia. Methods: The databases PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched from inception to June-2024. The phrases “Dental” AND “Telehealth” AND “Australia” and “Teledentistry” AND “Australia” were used. Two authors completed the study selection and data extraction. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools were used to assess quality and bias. Results: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. There were six diagnostic tests, six cross-sectional studies, 4 economic evaluations, one qualitative study and one expert opinion. Teledentistry was accurate for screening caries (average sensitivity=69.7 %, average specificity=97.4 %). There also appeared to be a non-significant negative correlation between specificity and sensitivity (r = 0.432). Opinions regarding teledentistry were mixed from clinicians but positive from patients. Teledentistry may also lead to savings for patients and healthcare providers. Conclusion: Teledentistry increases healthcare access especially for people in regional, rural and remote areas. It is an effective screening tool for caries. Whilst the opinions of clinicians were mixed, potential implementation barriers were identified which could improve opinions of clinicians and increase implementation. Clinical Importance: This study demonstrates teledentistry as a satisfactory tool for screening caries. This could be beneficial to those with difficulties visiting dentists in-person, particularly if they live in regional, rural or remote areas.
AB - Background: Teledentistry is the usage of information-based technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely. It is used to deliver care in regional, rural and remote regions and was particularly useful to deliver care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine teledentistry utilisation in Australia. Methods: The databases PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched from inception to June-2024. The phrases “Dental” AND “Telehealth” AND “Australia” and “Teledentistry” AND “Australia” were used. Two authors completed the study selection and data extraction. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools were used to assess quality and bias. Results: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. There were six diagnostic tests, six cross-sectional studies, 4 economic evaluations, one qualitative study and one expert opinion. Teledentistry was accurate for screening caries (average sensitivity=69.7 %, average specificity=97.4 %). There also appeared to be a non-significant negative correlation between specificity and sensitivity (r = 0.432). Opinions regarding teledentistry were mixed from clinicians but positive from patients. Teledentistry may also lead to savings for patients and healthcare providers. Conclusion: Teledentistry increases healthcare access especially for people in regional, rural and remote areas. It is an effective screening tool for caries. Whilst the opinions of clinicians were mixed, potential implementation barriers were identified which could improve opinions of clinicians and increase implementation. Clinical Importance: This study demonstrates teledentistry as a satisfactory tool for screening caries. This could be beneficial to those with difficulties visiting dentists in-person, particularly if they live in regional, rural or remote areas.
KW - Australia
KW - Caries
KW - Diagnostics
KW - Meta-analysis
KW - Teledentistry
KW - Telehealth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85200439537&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105265
DO - 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105265
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85200439537
SN - 0300-5712
VL - 149
JO - Journal of Dentistry
JF - Journal of Dentistry
M1 - 105265
ER -