ACCEPTABILITY OF TELEDENTISTRY BY DENTISTS IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE

Abstract

Teledentistry is developing globally but it is essential to study the acceptability by all who are involved. The university hospital of Montpellier started an innovation of oral teleconsultation and we studied the acceptability of “e-DENT” by dentists. How the dentists perceive the “e-DENT” project? What influenced acceptability? Which clinical conditions would dentists use for the oral teleconsultation?

Methods: In January 2015, we used a qualitative study with 20 semi-directed interviews by phone to dentists in the Montpellier area. Consent was given to participate and to be recorded. We used a snowball technique of dentists who still practice. At the end of the interview each dentist was asked to give two contacts for the next stage. 12 dentists refused. Orthodontics, retired and hospital dentists were excluded. 4 hours, 42 minutes and 10 seconds were recorded and analysed with NVivo® software.

Results: The sample was composed by 40% (8) of female and 60% (12) of male. They work for 85% (17) in a big or medium city and 15% (3) in a rural area. 50% (10) were between 30 and 39 years old. Teleconsultation advantages: better organization for appointment for the dentists (decrease and hierarchical), less stress for the patient, more patients could be seen, economic aspect. Disadvantages: quality of the diagnosis, time-consuming, new task for dentists and nurses. The relationship between patient and dentist could change: better acceptability by patient, faster than a classical consultation but no more physical contact between patient and professional.

Conclusion: the oral teleconsultation seems to be accepted by French dentists. The more important fears about this new concept are the quality of the diagnosis and the payment for the telediagnostic system. The responsibility is also a question. The dentists think that it’s a good tool for equality of access in dental care and it could be very useful for specific populations such as elderly people or disabled people.