The Role of Teledentistry in Improving Pediatric Oral Health Care: A Systematic Review of Interventions in Rural and
Víctor Beltrán1,2, Marco Flores1,2, Giannina Álvarez3
1Clinical Investigation and Dental Innovation Center (CIDIC), Dental School and Center for Translational Medicine (CEMT-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Background:
Children in rural and underserved communities face persistent barriers to oral health care, including limited access to providers. Teledentistry may offer a scalable strategy to improve access, education, and treatment adherence.
Aim:
To evaluate the effectiveness of teledentistry interventions in improving oral health outcomes, treatment compliance, and educational engagement among pediatric populations in low-access settings.
Design:
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eleven studies published between 2011 and 2025 were included, comprising randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and school-based implementations. Interventions included synchronous video consultations, asynchronous data transmission, mobile apps, and social media-based education.
Results:
Teledentistry interventions improved treatment adherence (66.7%-96.9%), reduced plaque and bleeding indices in orthodontic patients, and enhanced access to screening and referrals in schools. Mobile-based education promoted better hygiene behavior. Most studies reported high satisfaction and minimal technological issues. However, variability in intervention types and outcome measures precluded meta-analysis.
Conclusion:
Teledentistry is a feasible and effective tool for addressing pediatric oral health disparities in underserved settings. It supports prevention, education, and early intervention. Future studies should emphasize standardized outcomes, long-term impact, and cost-effectiveness.
Trial Registration:
This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD420251066189.
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