IADR Abstract Archives
PATIENTS’ KNOWLEDGE and PERCEPTION of the USE of TELEDENTISTRY in LUTH DENTAL CLINIC
Objectives: This study aims to assess patients’ knowledge and perception of the use of teledentistry in the delivery of oral health services in the LUTH dental clinic.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 166 consenting patients of Lagos University Teaching Hospital dental clinic using a consecutive sampling technique. Data was collected via self-administered pre-tested questionnaires and was analyzed electronically using Epi-Info version 7.2.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31.9±11.57. Less than a quarter (23.49%) of the respondents had knowledge of teledentistry. About 32.53% have utilized teledentistry services in its various forms. The overall perception score for teledentistry was good (81%) and majority (96.39%) of the respondents are willing to use teledentistry services in its different forms especially in booking or changing of appointments. There was a significant association between age (p= 0.011), educational level (p=0.0194) and the perception of the use of teledentistry. With regards to their complaints, 63.37% of the respondents did not prefer consulting the dentist over the phone and stated their preference for physical consultation as the reason for their choice.
Conclusions: This study found that patients have poor knowledge but an overall positive perception of teledentistry and are willing to use its services as they believe it can provide timely consultations and improve convenience. However, preference for physical consultation and proneness to error by the dentist are the major factors that will limit the use of teledentistry services from the patients’ perspective.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 166 consenting patients of Lagos University Teaching Hospital dental clinic using a consecutive sampling technique. Data was collected via self-administered pre-tested questionnaires and was analyzed electronically using Epi-Info version 7.2.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31.9±11.57. Less than a quarter (23.49%) of the respondents had knowledge of teledentistry. About 32.53% have utilized teledentistry services in its various forms. The overall perception score for teledentistry was good (81%) and majority (96.39%) of the respondents are willing to use teledentistry services in its different forms especially in booking or changing of appointments. There was a significant association between age (p= 0.011), educational level (p=0.0194) and the perception of the use of teledentistry. With regards to their complaints, 63.37% of the respondents did not prefer consulting the dentist over the phone and stated their preference for physical consultation as the reason for their choice.
Conclusions: This study found that patients have poor knowledge but an overall positive perception of teledentistry and are willing to use its services as they believe it can provide timely consultations and improve convenience. However, preference for physical consultation and proneness to error by the dentist are the major factors that will limit the use of teledentistry services from the patients’ perspective.