A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON TELE DENTISTRY IN PUBLIC ORAL HEALTH DURING COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Providing medical care over long distances using communication systems and advanced technologies is called "telemedicine." In recent years, dentistry has witnessed a substantial amount of technological advancement. The utilization of computers, telecommunication technology, digital diagnostic imaging services, equipment, and software for analysis and follow-up have all seen significant advancements in recent years because of developments in information technology. The field of dentistry has progressed to a point where it can now cover far greater distances than it was previously capable of. In 1997, "TD" was coined to describe "the practice of employing video conferencing technologies to diagnose and provide advice regarding treatment across a distance." It provides consultations over long distances using electronic medical records, the internet, information, and communication technology. TD has four potential applications. These are teleconsultation, Tele-education, telemonitoring, and telesurgery. TD can also be used to monitor patients remotely. A general dentist in a rural region can communicate with a specialist for advice through teleconsultation by sending either live patient data or patient medical records to the specialist. This allows the dentist to provide better care for their patients. Remote rural practitioners can acquire continuous medical education using interactive video conferencing and web-based self-instruction. In telemonitoring, patients record and send data to doctors via phone, fax, or the internet. Continuous data collection and automated transmission of that data to another physician involved in the care of the patients is another method that may be used to assess the condition of the patients. Telesurgery allows experts in metropolitan regions to assist surgeons located in rural or distant places through the use of video and audio links made possible by the internet. This ensures that patients receive the best possible surgical care. This technology makes it possible for multiple dental practitioners to work together to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan for patients who are seen in locations with a shortage of dentists or dental specialists or where dental specialists are not readily available. As a result, the objective of this study is to explore the development of tele dentistry and how it might be used in practice to address the disparities in oral health care between rural and urban areas.