Exploring the Scope of Teledentistry Using WhatsApp Image in Diagnosing Oral Conditions

  • Kanwal Sohail Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Oral Medicine, Margalla College of Dentistry, Margalla Institute of Health Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Sidq Ilyas House Officer, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Urva Javed Choudhary House Officer, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Amber Kiyani Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33897/fujd.v3i2.348
Keywords: Benign, Malignant, Oral Cavity, Telecommunication, Telemedicine

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the potential of teledentistry in improving oral medicine practice and patient care by collecting data from dental clinicians in two years and analyzing the accuracy of diagnoses made.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out including cases from 2019 to 2021. Data from 197 patients were collected from dental professionals in Rawalpindi/ Islamabad. In almost all cases, biopsies were done to confirm the provisional diagnosis. Later the provisional and definitive diagnoses were compared to evaluate the reliability of teledentistry by calculating the discrepancy index. Percentages and frequencies were calculated for the type of lesion and the actual discrepancy between provisional and definitive
diagnosis.

Results: The analysis showed that only 5.1% were misdiagnosed while 94.9% of cases had a similar teledentistry
impression as that of clinicopathological assessment.

Conclusion: With only 5.1% of cases being misdiagnosed, it is evident that teledentistry is effective and can be implemented on a larger scale for better patient-centred care.

Published
2023-07-24
Issue
Vol 3 No 2 (2023): Foundation University Journal of Dentistry, 2023, Vol. 3, No. 2
Section
Original Articles
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