Abstract
Teledentistry provides a viable option for dental professionals to increase care in underserved areas. Dental hygiene students at a state university complete a course in teledentistry that includes performing oral health screenings on Head Start children using intra-oral cameras and electronically submitting dental images to an off-site dentist for diagnosis. The objective of this study was to examine student knowledge, attitudes, and confidence levels regarding teledentistry. A 5-point Likert scale survey consisting of 10 items was administered to white females ages 22 to 25 (N=24) in a teledentistry course the first and last day of class. The survey included current knowledge of teledentistry and access to care, attitudes regarding effectiveness of teledentistry in identifying dental needs, the role dental hygienists play in access to care, and confidence in acquiring the necessary technical skills. Survey results analyzed by a matched pairs t test and Wilcoxen signed rank test found a significant increase in student knowledge, attitudes, and confidence level in 9 of the 10 questions (p<.02). Question 5 had a pre-test mean of 4.667 and a post-test mean of 4.875, demonstrating very little room for improvement. This survey supports that student attitudes were positively changed in their knowledge of the effectiveness of teledentistry in identifying dental needs in rural and underserved areas, the role dental hygienists play in access to care, and confidence in acquiring and submitting dental images. Research conducted in teledentistry supports continued implementation in dental hygiene education.
- Copyright © 2007 The American Dental Hygienists' Association
