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Feasibility and Acceptability of Pediatric Teledentistry: A Mixed-Methods Study
Sarah Alrumaim1, Nada Farsi2, Najat Farsi3
1Pediatric Dentistry Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Virtual pediatric dentistry clinics (VC) are feasible and highly accepted by parents, offering convenience and accessibility. While most parents reported high satisfaction, some noted limitations for complex cases requiring in-person treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Digital Health
- Teledentistry
Background:
- Teledentistry effectively supplements existing dental healthcare systems, particularly in pediatric care.
- Virtual clinics (VC) are emerging as a novel approach in pediatric dentistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and parental acceptability of a virtual pediatric dentistry clinic.
- To explore parental satisfaction and experiences with teledentistry in pediatric care.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study employing an explanatory sequential design.
- Quantitative surveys measured parental satisfaction, followed by qualitative semi-structured interviews and virtual appointment observations for triangulation.
Main Results:
- Eighty percent of parents reported high satisfaction with virtual pediatric dentistry clinics.
- Key themes included convenience, accessibility, improved child behavior, and reduced costs, though limitations for complex cases and pain were noted.
Conclusions:
- Teledentistry serves as a viable complement to traditional dental care, facilitating remote triage and consultations.
- Virtual pediatric dentistry clinics demonstrate high parental acceptance and feasibility for routine care.
Background:
Teledentistry has supplemented current dental healthcare systems and has been proven effective in pediatric dentistry.
Aim:
To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual pediatric dentistry clinic (VC).
Design:
This mixed methods study used an explanatory sequential design. First, a quantitative survey assessed parental satisfaction with VC. The second phase involved two parts: (1) qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents and (2) ten observations of virtual appointments were conducted to aid in findings' triangulation.
Results:
Forty-five VC were conducted with children and parents. Thirty-six parents (80%) were highly satisfied, while nine (20%) had low satisfaction. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven highly satisfied and seven minimally satisfied parents. Eight themes emerged: (1) VC indication; (2) VC outcome; (3) new experience; (4) improvements in the child's behavior; (5) VC limitations; (6) skepticism about delivery of care; (7) convenience and accessibility; and (8) reduction in transportation cost and time. VC observation findings were triangulated with the results from the interviews, which showed that low-satisfaction parents reported pain, facial cellulitis, and complex cases that needed immediate treatment at dental clinics.
Conclusion:
Teledentistry is a feasible complement to the continuum of care, enabling remote triage and consultation as needed, and is highly accepted by parents.
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