Thai Dental Students' Perspectives on Teledentistry: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

This study aims to assess the opinions, attitudes, and perceptions of Thai dental students toward teledentistry; analyze the barriers to teledentistry adoption; and suggest the possibilities for strengthening the integration of teledentistry in undergraduate dental education in Thailand.

A cross-sectional electronic study comprising 531 Thai dental students from 16 dental schools assessed four categories of teledentistry: opinions, practices, attitudes, and barriers. The students were categorized by their training stage: preclinical (years 2-3) and clinical (years 4-6), to analyze differences in perspective. Data were collected through a 35-item questionnaire with a binary response format. Chi-square tests and Cramer's V were utilized to examine relationships between binary and key variables, respectively, while binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of positive attitudes toward the use of teledentistry. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05, and the analysis was conducted using SPSS.

Students generally demonstrated positive perceptions of teledentistry, particularly regarding its role in improving access to oral healthcare and facilitating patient monitoring (p < 0.001). Factors significantly associated with the intention to use teledentistry included prior familiarity with the concept (Cramer's V = 0.162, p < 0.001), perceived cost-effectiveness (Cramer's V = 0.118, p = 0.006), interest in digital dental examinations (OR = 2.17, p < 0.001), belief in teledentistry as a future standard of oral healthcare delivery (OR = 2.01, p = 0.001), and the perception that it could increase the availability of dental services in underserved areas (OR = 1.83, p = 0.004).

This first-time study offers a comprehensive overview of Thai dental students' perception toward teledentistry. While attitudes were generally positive, important barriers remain, including knowledge deficits, concerns about diagnostic accuracy, and data security. The findings highlighted the need for targeted educational strategies within undergraduate dental curricula to improve student preparedness for teledentistry, which in turn will support its broader integration into future dental practice in Thailand.