(PR70) Assessing Patient Perception of Endodontic Teledentistry Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic altered the routine delivery of endodontic care. In response, a rapid pivot to virtual care delivery occurred to screen for true endodontic emergencies. In 2021, audio or video teledentistry visits were conducted as first visits for all patients referred for endodontic care at Oregon Health & Science University, School of Dentistry, Graduate Endodontic Clinic. This study evaluated patient perception and satisfaction with teledentistry first visits over 4 months. Patients opted for audio or video visits followed immediately by an electronically sent anonymous 28-question Qualtrics® survey. Likert questions queried satisfaction, perceived visit effectiveness, usefulness, and technical interaction. Response rate was 35.8% (64/179) with 73.4% of visits conducted with audio and 26.6% video. For the majority (85%), this was a first-ever teledentistry visit. Overall satisfaction was reported by 97% of respondents with 93% agreeing they received the information needed. Future teledentistry visit preference was voice only (46%), followed by no preference (24%; audio vs. video), live video (22%), and no future teledentistry visits (8%). Respondents (91%) perceived teledentistry as improving their access to dental care. Only 37% agreed they would have received better care at an in-person visit. No effect of interaction was seen for age, gender, perceived dental health, severity of tooth pain, or travel time. Respondents reported high satisfaction, perceived effectiveness and usefulness of endodontic teledentistry visits suggesting wide patient acceptance of the utilization of teledentistry post-COVID.