What does teledentistry mean? Mapping of current definitions.

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Timely oral healthcare access is crucial for overall well-being.
• Existing initiatives face challenges in addressing oral healthcare access deficiencies.
• Teledentistry emerges as a solution to bridge these gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define teledentistry amidst terminological confusion.
• To highlight teledentistry's potential benefits in oral healthcare.
• To establish a clear understanding of teledentistry's scope and goals.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of teledentistry literature.
• Analysis of existing research on remote oral healthcare delivery.
• Synthesis of definitions and applications of teledentistry.

Main Results:

• Teledentistry defined as technology-enabled remote oral healthcare delivery.
• Identified benefits include improved access, reduced inequalities, and enhanced patient outcomes.
• Cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability are key advantages.

Conclusions:

• Teledentistry offers a viable solution to improve oral healthcare access and equity.
• Clear definition and understanding are essential for effective teledentistry implementation.
• The practice holds significant potential for the future of dentistry.