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Orthodontic patient perception during the COVID era and teleorthodontics. A review of the literature Shima Sharara Golfam Khoshkhounejad Dental Update 2024 15:4, 707-709.
Authors
ShimaSharara
BDS, MFDS RCS(Ed), MSc (KCL), MOrth RCS Ed, Post CCST in Orthodontics
Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly supported the provision of orthodontic care when dental services were disrupted. This disruption could adversely impact on the psychological wellbeing of orthodontic patients. To assure high-quality care, it is essential to assess the patient's perception. This article is a review of the current literature on what comprises teledentistry with a focus on patient perception of such digital technology, their orthodontic experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and our recommendations thereafter.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: An assessment of orthodontic patients' experience of using teleorthodontics during the COVID pandemic with recommendations for effective use of the technology for the provision of high-quality care.
Article
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, teledentistry has played an integral role in patient care and management. On 25 March 2020, the Chief Dental Officer of England advised that all routine dental appointments cease, focusing instead on the establishment of remote dental care and patient triage, with only those requiring urgent care to be referred to a local urgent dental centre.1
There has been a great shift in healthcare provision, with extensive use of telecommunication as both an aid and as an alternative to face-to-face consultation.2,3 There is evidence to suggest that telemedicine can increase health service efficiency and reduce unnecessary travel.3,4,5
During the COVID-19 pandemic, timely orthodontic referrals were not possible, since the dental triaging system prioritized the needs of patients experiencing dental pain or other pathologies. A randomized clinical trial that investigated the effectiveness of tele-referrals compared with the conventional forms, reported that sensitivity and specificity of teledentistry were 0.80 and 0.73, respectively, and inappropriate referral was higher with direct consultation than those performed remotely (26% and 8.2%, respectively).6 Timely orthodontic referrals can be crucial when there is evidence of root resorption as a result of impacted teeth, and for therapeutic modalities such as growth modification or interceptive treatments. Also, the age limit for treatment eligibility under the NHS, may pose concerns for patients who are approaching that threshold of 18 years of age.7
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