Teledentistry Implementation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Public Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• COVID-19 transmission via aerosols poses high risks to dental professionals.
• Teledentistry offers a solution to mitigate risks by enabling remote dental care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review on teledentistry implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
• To examine challenges, strategies, and innovations in teledentistry during this period.

Main Methods:

• Searched PubMed and Google Scholar for teledentistry-related articles published between March 2020 and April 2022.
• Included articles discussing teledentistry and COVID-19 in dentistry, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Main Results:

• 32 articles were reviewed, encompassing various study types.
• Teledentistry was utilized for triage, consultations, and reducing in-person visits, often via commercial apps.
• Key challenges included patient/clinician acceptance, infrastructure, reimbursement, and security.

Conclusions:

• Pandemic lockdowns accelerated teledentistry adoption for triage and remote care.
• Teledentistry improved access to care, especially in remote areas.
• Persistent challenges include technology, provider training, billing, and privacy concerns.