Awareness of Teledentistry Among Patients Visiting an Urban Tertiary Dental Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hafsa Feroz; Mehmil Aslam; Amna Arsalan; Bilal Shahid Ansari; Araib Tahir; Saad Ali

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-10.14100

Authors

Hafsa Feroz Department of Oral Medicine, Hamdard University Dental Hospital Karachi, Pakistan
Mehmil Aslam Department of Oral Medicine, Hamdard University Dental Hospital Karachi, Pakistan
Amna Arsalan Department of Periodontology, Hamdard University Dental Hospital Karachi, Pakistan
Bilal Shahid Ansari Department of Periodontology, Hamdard University Dental Hospital Karachi, Pakistan
Araib Tahir Department: Operative Dentistry, Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry Karachi, Pakistan
Saad Ali Department of Periodontology, Hamdard University Dental Hospital Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-10.14100

Keywords:

Armed Conflict, Awareness, Digital Health, Humanitarian Crisis, Pakistan, Teledentistry, Telehealth

Abstract

Objective: To determine how much patients of an urban tertiary dental hospital in Karachi, Pakistan know about tele-dentistry, including their understanding of its definition, perception of its benefits, and knowledge of its availability.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Hamdard University Dental Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan; Feb 2023 to Feb 2024.

Methodology: A total of 382 participants were enrolled through non-probability purposive sampling technique. A pre-tested self-administered 12-item questionnaire was used to measure tele-dentistry familiarity, attitudes, and prior experience.

Results: Out of 382 participants, 374(98%) had never heard of tele-dentistry. Only 19(5%) had used tele-dentistry before and 344(90%) did not think it would be beneficial for them. A significant statistical Association was found between age and awareness (χ² = 12.86, df = 6, p value = 0.045). However, no significant relationships were found between gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, or area of residence.

Conclusion: Dental patients in cities of Pakistan do not knowmuch about tele-dentistry. Since the healthcare sector is going digital and the world is getting more and more hostile, Pakistan needs to start making plans for tele-dentistry in emergencies, running awareness campaigns, and including it in the National Health Vision.

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