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Accuracy and effectiveness of teledentistry: a systematic review of systematic reviews

Evidence-Based Dentistry (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has urged healthcare systems to develop new ways to safely provide care. Telehealth has become a compelling alternative. Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of teledentistry for screening, diagnosis and therapeutic management of dental care in children and adults.

Methods We conducted a systematic review (SR) of systematic reviews. Multiple databases, the grey literature and conference archives were searched. Eligible SRs included those reporting virtual screening, diagnostic investigations and therapeutic interventions. Two investigators independently reviewed abstracts, articles, critically appraised SRs and extracted the data.

Results We identified 817 citations and included six SRs. The accepted SRs involved >7,000 participants, used primarily asynchronous communication for diagnostic/screening outcomes and used synchronous communication for treatment outcomes. SRs were of low quality and included 30 primary studies of our interest. Sensitivity and specificity for dental referrals and diagnostic treatment planning were higher than other index/reference tests, ranging from 80-88% and 73-95%, respectively. Treatment outcome measured patient compliance and professional supervision.

Conclusion This SR provides the best existing evidence for clinical decision-making involving teledentistry. Current evidence supports teledentistry as an effective means for dental referrals, treatment planning and compliance and treatment viability. Asynchronous communication and the adoption of smartphones for image capturing are feasible and convenient for the implementation of teledentistry.

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Funding

The first author (Nalia Gurge-Juarez) has been supported by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). The senior scientific author (Hillel Finestone) received funding from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Nalia Gurgel-Juarez

  2. Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Parana, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Cassius Torres-Pereira

  3. Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana E. Haddad

  4. Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; University of Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation, Ottawa, Canada

    Lisa Sheehy

  5. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, Ottawa, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Hillel Finestone

  6. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; Champlain Regional Stroke Network, Ottawa, Canada

    Karen Mallet

  7. Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    Michael Wiseman

  8. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Kannika Hour

  9. School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada

    Heather L. Flowers

Authors
  1. Nalia Gurgel-Juarez
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  2. Cassius Torres-Pereira
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  7. Michael Wiseman
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  8. Kannika Hour
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  9. Heather L. Flowers
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Contributions

Nalia Gurgel-Juarez: contributed to the conception, study design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation of findings and drafted and critically revised the manuscript. Cassius Torres-Pereira: contributed to the study design, data acquisition and interpretation of findings; supervised the analysis and critically revised the manuscript. Ana E. Haddad: contributed to conception and interpretation of findings and critically revised the manuscript. Lisa Sheehy: contributed to manuscript content and data analysis and critically revised the manuscript. Hillel Finestone: contributed to manuscript content and critically revised the manuscript. Karen Mallet: contributed to manuscript content and critically revised the manuscript. Michael Wiseman: contributed to manuscript content and critically revised the manuscript. Kannika Hour: contributed to data acquisition and analysis. Heather L. Flowers: contributed to study design; supervised the analysis and interpretation of findings; and drafted portions of the manuscript alongside critical revisions. All authors gave their final approval and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Nalia Gurgel-Juarez.

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Gurgel-Juarez, N., Torres-Pereira, C., Haddad, A. et al. Accuracy and effectiveness of teledentistry: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Evid Based Dent (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-022-0257-8

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