Canadian orthodontist Internet user profile

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Dental Informatics
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The increasing integration of technology in healthcare necessitates understanding its adoption by dental professionals.
• Internet access is crucial for accessing information, continuing education, and practice management in modern orthodontics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current characteristics and patterns of Internet use among Canadian orthodontists.
• To identify factors associated with Internet adoption in orthodontic practices.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous, self-administered, mail-out survey was distributed to Canadian Orthodontists.
• Response rate was 45.6% (304 out of 667).
• Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant associations.

Main Results:

• 76.6% of orthodontists had Internet access at work; 12.4% accessed it elsewhere.
• Significant positive correlations were found between Internet usage, office staff size, and years of practice.
• Practices with more case starts showed higher odds of having Internet access.

Conclusions:

• Internet adoption is prevalent among Canadian orthodontists, particularly in larger practices.
• Practice size and patient volume are key indicators of Internet access in orthodontic settings.
• Further research could explore the impact of Internet access on orthodontic treatment outcomes and practice efficiency.