78 - Factors For Online Dental Portal Use

Abstract:

Objectives: To Investigate the characteristics of patients enrolling in the online dental patient portal (PP) at the Iowa College of Dentistry (UICOD).

Methods: A retrospective chart review of health histories and consents was conducted for new patients in the Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Admission at the UICOD January, 1 through May 31, 2022 that used the PP. Age, gender, size of the community, distance to the UICOD, clinic that the patient is assigned to for treatment, and insurance were obtained. Logistic regression was performed to see if distance from clinic, population of home community, clinic type, insurance type, and whether the patient was referred, can predict whether a patient is more likely to complete their consents and histories through the PP.

Results: A total of 121 charts were reviewed: 87 from Admissions and 34 from the Pediatric Clinics. Almost two-thirds of the participants were enrolled in Medicaid, 80% were referred, the average distance traveled was 81 miles and the population of communities that patients came from ranged between 304-214,133. 78% of Admissions patients and 91.2% of Pediatric patients completed all of the consent forms. None of the variables were significant in changing the predicted probability of a patient completing their consents or histories through the PP.

Conclusions: This was an exploratory study of characteristics of individuals that completed health histories and consents through the PP. Even though there were no significant characteristics in the regression model, it provides guidance for future research in use of the PP.

Source of Funding: Iowa Dental Research Grant