Erica A Brecher1, Martha Ann Keels2, Caroline K Carrico3, Dylan S Hamilton4. 1. Dr. Brecher is an adjunct assistant professor of pediatrics and consulting professor of surgery, Duke University, Durham, N.C., USA;, Email: erica.brecher.dmd@gmail.com. 2. Dr. Keels is an adjunct associate professor of pediatrics, Duke University, and an adjunct professor of pediatric dentistry, University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, N.C., USA. 3. Dr. Carrico is and associate professor, Dental Public Health and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., USA. 4. Dr. Hamilton is a pediatric dentist in private practice, Atlanta, Ga., USA.
Abstract
Purpose: (1) Implementation of teledentistry in a private pediatric practice during COVID-19 pandemic, (2) Evaluate dental care that was assessed and managed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Urgent dental care provided during the recommended deferment of elective dentistry (3/16/20-5/17/20) was documented. Encounters were documented by type and management (conventional vs. teledentistry). Results were summarized using descriptive statistics. Associations were compared with Chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Results: There were 137 emergency patient encounters during the study period. The types were: orthodontics (32 percent), caries (22 percent), eruption concerns (18 percent), trauma (16 percent), "other" (12 percent) (i.e., ankyloglossia, aphthous ulcers). Almost half (48 percent) were managed with teledentistry. The highest utilization of conventional dentistry was caries (70 percent), and for teledentistry was "Other" (75 percent) and eruption concerns (60 percent). Conclusion: Nearly half of emergency encounters in this sample were managed with teledentistry. Teledentistry was a necessary modality of care during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has uses and implications beyond the triage of acute dental emergencies.
Purpose: (1) Implementation of teledentistry in a private pediatric practice during COVID-19 pandemic, (2) Evaluate dental care that was assessed and managed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Urgent dental care provided during the recommended deferment of elective dentistry (3/16/20-5/17/20) was documented. Encounters were documented by type and management (conventional vs. teledentistry). Results were summarized using descriptive statistics. Associations were compared with Chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Results: There were 137 emergency patient encounters during the study period. The types were: orthodontics (32 percent), caries (22 percent), eruption concerns (18 percent), trauma (16 percent), "other" (12 percent) (i.e., ankyloglossia, aphthous ulcers). Almost half (48 percent) were managed with teledentistry. The highest utilization of conventional dentistry was caries (70 percent), and for teledentistry was "Other" (75 percent) and eruption concerns (60 percent). Conclusion: Nearly half of emergency encounters in this sample were managed with teledentistry. Teledentistry was a necessary modality of care during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has uses and implications beyond the triage of acute dental emergencies.
Authors: Man Hung; Martin S Lipsky; Teerarat N Phuatrakoon; Mindy Nguyen; Frank W Licari; Elizabeth J Unni Journal: Interact J Med Res Date: 2022-07-21
Authors: Andreea Kui; Codruța Popescu; Anca Labuneț; Oana Almășan; Adrian Petruțiu; Mariana Păcurar; Smaranda Buduru Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-22 Impact factor: 4.614