A Systematic Review on the Validity of Teledentistry

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Digital Health
• Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

• Teledentistry is an emerging field in oral healthcare delivery.
• Its application in diagnosis and examination requires rigorous validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the validity of teledentistry for oral care examination and diagnosis.
• To assess the diagnostic accuracy of teledentistry compared to gold standards.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted in June 2016 across three major databases.
• Studies were included if they involved teledentistry, were available in full text, compared it to a gold standard, and provided statistical validity tests.
• Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS) tool.

Main Results:

• Nine high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria.
• Teledentistry demonstrated variable but often high validity across sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.
• Reliability, assessed by Kappa statistics, ranged from 46% to 93%.

Conclusions:

• Teledentistry is a valid tool for oral screening, diagnosis, and teleconsultations, comparable to face-to-face examinations.
• It is particularly beneficial for school-based programs, rural areas, and long-term care facilities.
• Further methodologically sound studies are needed to solidify its role in oral healthcare.