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A profile of current Internet users in dentistry
T K Schleyer1, H Spallek, M H Torres-Urquidy
1Department of Dental Informatics, Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, Pa. 19140, USA.
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|December 17, 1998
Summary
Dentists worldwide are increasingly using the Internet for professional activities. This technology is considered a valuable resource for clinical case discussions, information retrieval, and continuing education in dentistry.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- The integration of digital technologies into healthcare is rapidly evolving.
- The Internet offers diverse platforms for professional development and practice management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile current Internet usage among dental professionals globally.
- To assess the perceived utility of the Internet in various dental practice aspects.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed electronically via email and the World Wide Web.
- Data were collected from 825 respondents across 52 countries, including dentists, assistants, hygienists, students, and educators.
Main Results:
- Respondents utilize the Internet for clinical case discussions, diagnostic/therapeutic information, purchasing dental products, patient communication, and continuing education.
- A significant majority (80%) of participants found the Internet to be a useful or very useful resource in their dental practice.
Conclusions:
- The Internet is an established and valuable tool for dental professionals.
- Future dental education and practice may increasingly rely on Internet-based resources and communication.