Teledentistry in Periodontal Diagnosis: A New Age Practice

Abstract

 Background: Teledentistry is same as telemedicine. It has come out as a new diagnostic tool for different disciplines of dental care. As a part of teledentistry, teleperiodontics concentrates on the application of digital technology for communication and facilitate the innovative technology of telecommunications in the field of periodontics. The teleperiodontics has an infinite potential of access to the periodontitists from a distant rural area and thus enhance effective delivery of oral health care to the remote under privileged rural areas. It will make easier for early diagnosis of periodontal disease to treat it in its early stage. It allows the periodontitists and the patients to interact through video conferencing and data exchange system. But teleperiodentistry is in its infant stage and not much penetrated into the diagnosis and treatment field of periodontics. Hence, the objective of this survey study was to assess the attitude, knowledge, and application of teleperiodontistry in day to day practice among the periodontitists and other dental practitioners at different levels. Material and Method: A questionnaire comprising of 27 close ended questions to evaluate the attitude, knowledge, and practice of teleperiodentistry and teledentistry was circulated among the dental surgeons of dental colleges present in Karnataka. Result: A total of 120 responses were received. Majority of the responses were not aware about teleperiodentistry and also not agreed for diagnosing and prescribing oral hygiene practices and medicines for management of periodontal health. Conclusion: The potential of teleperiodentistry needs to be delved into by the periodontitists with an objective to deliver a better periodontal care to distant patients who are unable to visit them.