Effectiveness and challenges of tele-dentistry and factors affecting it, during the times of covid-19 health emergency-a perspective of dental professionals

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to assess effectiveness and challenges of tele-dentistry and factors affecting it, during the times of COVID-19 health emergency among dental professionals. It was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted among dental professionals which was online. Mean age of Study participants were 32.3±3 years. Majority of study participants major challenges to practice of Tele dentistry during Covid-19 Pandemic was lack of proper infrastructure {(189 (91.3%)}, negative attitude of Dental professionals {(93 (44.9%)}, According to {172 (83.1%)} dental professionals there are many challenges for practicing Tele-dentistry. Dental professionals reported that effectiveness of Tele dentistry during Covid-19 is good but all together challenges were large to practice. Tele dentistry in India due to which its effectiveness decreases and factors effecting its effectiveness barriers were age, average number of patients seen per month before lockdown, and Practice closed due to Covid-19 outbreak.