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Perceptions of how the Internet has impacted on dentistry
1Dental School, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY. chestnuttig@cardiff.ac.uk
British Dental Journal
|February 14, 2006
Summary
Dentists report patients frequently ask about online dental information, sometimes leading to demands for inappropriate care. While the internet impacts oral care delivery, its full potential for education and professional development remains largely unrealized.
Area of Science:
- Oral healthcare
- Digital health
- Health informatics
Background:
- The internet has become a significant source of health information for patients.
- Understanding its influence on patient expectations and practitioner practices in dentistry is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how patient-sourced internet information affects oral care delivery.
- To examine dentists' own utilization of the internet for professional purposes.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 620 dentists registered in Wales.
- 18-item self-completed questionnaires were analyzed, yielding a response rate of 74% (457 dentists).
Main Results:
- Half of dentists reported patients inquiring about online dental information, commonly concerning cosmetic procedures, amalgam, and implants.
- 39% of dentists agreed that internet information led patients to demand inappropriate or more complex treatments.
- Concerns about information quality and reliability hindered dentists' use of the internet for patient education, though most used it for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Conclusions:
- Dentists generally hold positive views on the internet's impact on oral care.
- Significant barriers remain in fully leveraging the internet's potential for patient education and professional development in dentistry.
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