(PO-190) Teledentistry—A Facilitator in Dental Education

Author: Pei Lim, D.D.S. M.S. – Clinical Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry
Author: Massimiliano Di Giosia, D.D.S. – Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry
Author: Mustafa Ahmed, D.D.S.
Author: Tia Moore, DAII, BA
Author: Daniela Vivaldi, D.D.S
Submitter: Pei Lim, D.D.S. M.S. – Clinical Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry

Teledentistry is an effective and increasingly adopted method of interaction between the dentist and the patient especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It uses the medium of information technology instead of face-to-face interaction.

Objective: This study investigated the use of teledentistry as a learning experience for dental students.

Methods: Teledentistry is a component of the Orofacial Pain curriculum for 3rd year dental students at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry. All students were invited to participate in this study. Participants completed a pre-teledentistry survey (Pre-TS), watched a 10 minute video on the pain history taking process, and completed a post-teledentistry survey (Post-TS). All surveys were administered via REDCap. This study was approved by the IRB of the Office of Human Research Ethics (study # 20-1614).

Results: The number of participants in the Pre- and Post-TS were 23 and 19 respectively. Each participant attended a mean of 1.89 teleconsultations. While 86% of the participants in Pre-TS and 94% of the participants in the Post-TS reported that they were comfortable with taking a pain history, only 22.5% of the participants in Pre-TS and 31.6% of the participants in the Post-TS reported that they were comfortable in diagnosing non-odontogenic pain. 79% of the participants remarked on what they liked about the teledentistry learning format and 47% remarked on what they disliked. All participants (100%) acknowledged that teledentistry facilitated their understanding of history taking when compared with classic teaching methods. 83% stated that it was an experience that they wanted in other courses.

Conclusion: In addition to classical teaching methods, teledentistry complements the learning experience and should be increasingly adopted in dental education.