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Jin-Yu ML, Min CW, Si Jin JL, Babar MG, Mahdi SS. Practical applications of teledentistry during the Covid-19 pandemic in ASEAN member states - a systematic review. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:421. [PMID: 38580980 PMCID: PMC10996261 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04177-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to determine the utilisation and adoption of teledentistry based solutions and technologies during the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Asean region. BACKGROUND Teledentistry is a branch of telemedicine that has rapidly advanced in the last few years and has the potential to provide solutions to oral health problems of patients and locations that do not have prompt and immediate access to a dentist or dental services. The Covid-19 has increased the adaption of all digital health technologies and teledentistry is no exception. METHODOLOGY The study utilized online databases such as Pubmed (Medline), Scopus (Embase) and CINAHL for the purpose of document search. Newcastle Ottawa (NOS) scale was used to determine the quality of the studies included in our systematic review. PRISMA guidelines were used as the criteria for reporting items in the systematic review. RESULTS A total of 1297 documents were found after applying the search criteria and the keywords for the selected study. After applying the Prisma guidelines, removal of duplicates and irrelevant entries, 10 studies that were conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic were selected, fitting the inclusion criteria. All the studies included were evaluated for quality and risk of bias through the Newcastle Ottawa scale. Only high-quality studies were included for the final review. CONCLUSION Teledentistry is a cost-effective solution to screen, diagnose and treat dental patients from a distance. Teledentistry also has the potential to continue seamless continuation of dental education to dental students, during disruptive and non-disruptive periods. ASEAN countries should fully utilise the potential of teledentistry, however sound and effective legislation would be the key first step to achieving that potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Loh Jin-Yu
- Division of Clinical Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cheong Wayn Min
- Division of Clinical Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jason Law Si Jin
- Division of Clinical Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muneer Gohar Babar
- Division of Clinical Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Syed Sarosh Mahdi
- Division of Clinical Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Zain E, Rahman N, Khan SA, Farook MS, Khan E, Jubapu AS, Talreja N, Chan BH, Ng ALW. Patients' Readiness Towards Teledentistry in the Malaysian Urban Population Attending an Undergraduate Teaching University. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:214-222. [PMID: 37358591 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 disease has resulted in suspension of all nonurgent routine dental treatments. In view of COVID-19 situation, social distancing, movement restriction orders, and affected health care systems, there is an urgent need to resume and deliver oral health care remotely. Hence, alternative means of dental care should be available for both patients and dentists. Therefore, this study aims to assess patients' readiness for teledentistry in Malaysian urban population attending an undergraduate teaching university. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 631 adult patients visiting the Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University, from January 2020 to May 2021 in Selangor, Malaysia. A validated, self-administered, 5-point Likert scale online questionnaire comprising five domains was administered. (1) Patients' demographics and dental history, (2) patients' access to teledentistry, (3) patients' understanding towards teledentistry, (4) patients' willingness, and (5) barriers in using teledentistry were used to collect the required information. Results: Six hundred and thirty-one (n = 631) participants responded to the questionnaire. Ninety percent of patients were able to connect to Wi-Fi services independently and 77% participants were comfortable using online communication platforms. Seventy-one percent of the participants agreed that video and telephone clinics can reduce chances of infection rather than face-to-face consultation during the pandemic. Fifty-five percent of patients felt that virtual clinics would save time and 60% thought it could reduce travelling costs. Fifty-one percent showed their willingness to use video or telephone clinics when implemented at onsite clinics. Conclusion: Our study shows the readiness of patients to accept teledentistry as an alternative method of oral care if appropriate training and education are provided. The results of this study have prompted an increase in patients' education and shown a need to train clinicians and patients to integrate this technology at SEGi University. This might facilitate unhindered dental consultation and care in all situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erum Zain
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Naomi Rahman
- Consultant in Oral Surgery, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Saad Ahmad Khan
- Department of Health Sciences, Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohideen Salihu Farook
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Erum Khan
- Department of Oral Basic and Clinical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayesha Shaziya Jubapu
- Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nidhi Talreja
- Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bing Hong Chan
- Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Aaron Long Wai Ng
- Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Azimi S, Fernando C, Estai M, Patel J, Silva D, Tennant M. Experience of primary caregivers in utilising an mHealth application for remote dental screening in preschool children. AUST HEALTH REV 2023; 47:545-552. [PMID: 37580061 DOI: 10.1071/ah23110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to address the acceptance of mHealth applications for a dental screening app that facilitates patient information entry and captures dental photos remotely to assist in caries diagnosis in preschool children in Australia. Methods All participants were recruited through the ORIGINS Project, a community-based interventional birth cohort study in Western Australia. Forty-two primary caregivers, who were the users of a teledental screening app, were given a questionnaire with 17 questions; these were constructed based on the theme of the Technology Acceptance Model: perceived ease of use (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), behavioural intention to adopt (BI), anxiety (ANX), attitude toward a behaviour (ATB), and self-efficacy (SE). Cronbach's alpha was estimated to determine internal consistency. Path analysis was employed to quantify the relationship between each theme. Results The mean values for most themes indicated high satisfaction with the intervention among caregivers (scores out of 5): PE (4.54 ± 0.55), PU (4.65 ± 0.49), BI (4.40 ± 0.65), ATB (4.23 ± 0.70), SE (4.36 ± 0.64). Results indicated high consistency in response in the PE, PU, ATB, and SE (α = 0.74-0.84) and moderate consistency was observed in ANX and BI (α = 0.50-0.62). The overall intention of using the dental screening app was significantly related to both PU and ATB (P Conclusion The perceived usefulness and attitude toward behaviours influenced the overall behavioural intention of the participants to use the telehealth model in dental screening. Recognising these relationships indicates community readiness for implementing the telehealth application in the dental program and enables identification of areas for improving its diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayyeh Azimi
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Chrishan Fernando
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University, Building 405, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Mohamed Estai
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; and The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO, Kensington, WA, Australia
| | - Jilen Patel
- Dental School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Desiree Silva
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; and Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, WA, Australia; and Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Marc Tennant
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; and School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Aktas N, Palaz ZH, Akal N. Teledentistry in pediatric dentistry: Postgraduate dental students' knowledge, practice, and attitudes. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231205285. [PMID: 37786404 PMCID: PMC10541737 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231205285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate postgraduate pediatric dental students' knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward teledentistry and identify potential applications of this technology in pediatric dentistry. Methods An online questionnaire was sent to all students through Google Forms. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic information, knowledge, practice, and attitudes regarding teledentistry and the use of teledentistry during coronavirus disease 2019. Results Before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, only 8.2% of students knew teledentistry. However, this increased to 45% after the pandemic, with differences depending on the student's clinical experience. Teledentistry was reported as useful for medicine taking, follow-up consultations, and diagnosing soft tissue problems. Conclusions Integrating teledentistry topics into the dental curriculum can increase awareness and adoption of this technology in pediatric dentistry. Dental students need to be aware of its potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagehan Aktas
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zeliha H Palaz
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nese Akal
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
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Migas K, Kozłowski R, Sierocka A, Marczak M. Evaluation of Tele-Dentistry and Face-to-Face Appointments during the Provision of Dental Services in Poland. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101640. [PMID: 36294779 PMCID: PMC9605474 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tele-dentistry is a rapidly growing field, especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote services are of increasing interest to both patients and dental personnel. They allow for reduced person-to-person contact and thus a reduced risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV2 virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the functioning of all areas of life, including dental treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of using tele-dentistry for dental services and analyse the attitudes of patients and dentists towards this solution. The period analysed was between March 2019 and February 2021 in five healthcare entities in Cracow in Central Europe. The study’s retrospective analysis shows a positive attitude of patients towards tele-dentistry at every stage of treatment, from diagnosis through postoperative care, and a significant reluctance of dentists in the majority of dental specialties towards tele-dentistry. Consequently, a significant percentage of patients were invited to dental offices for a face-to-face appointment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The negative attitude of dental personnel towards tele-dentistry compared with the positive attitude of patients towards tele-dentistry is somewhat worrying in view of the possibility of a further pandemic. At the same time, it provides important information about the need to educate and support dental personnel in tele-dental solutions and improve solutions for the future. Taking into account the potential reduction in dental care costs for patients and countries after the implementation of tele-dentistry solutions, this is an important topic, while current studies do not comprehensively address the attitudes of patients and dental personnel towards tele-dentistry. In other parts of the world, a similar approach to tele-dentistry is used by patients and dentists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Migas
- Department of Management and Logistics in Healthcare, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-503-628-588
| | - Remigiusz Kozłowski
- Center of Security Technologies in Logistics, Faculty of Management, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Sierocka
- Department of Management and Logistics in Healthcare, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Michał Marczak
- Department of Management and Logistics in Healthcare, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
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Alotaibi S, Alshehri A. Teledentistry Approaches for Dental Assessments and Consultation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. SMART HOMECARE TECHNOLOGY AND TELEHEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.2147/shtt.s366239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Knowledge and Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine for COVID-19 Disease Prevention among the Indian Population: A Mixed-Method Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101605. [PMID: 36298470 PMCID: PMC9609366 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To assess the Knowledge and Acceptance of the COVID vaccine among the Indian population. Materials and methods: The present mixed-method study was conducted in two phases. The first phase: quantitative assessment of knowledge and acceptance for the COVID-19 vaccine using an E survey (N = 606). The second phase: qualitative assessment using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the study participants (N = 30) and assessment was done using a thematic approach. Study participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. Results: It was found that a large proportion of subjects in the 16−25 year of age group knew the cause of disease. But knowledge about its transmission process was found to be more in >60 years of age gap and almost all the participants in all the age group preferred Covishield. The vaccine acceptance rate was found to be low as compared to the knowledge. Conclusion: Most study participants were found to have satisfactory knowledge, but acceptance rate was comparatively lesser. Hence, more information and awareness campaigns must be launched reassuring the population about vaccine safety.
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Kui A, Popescu C, Labuneț A, Almășan O, Petruțiu A, Păcurar M, Buduru S. Is Teledentistry a Method for Optimizing Dental Practice, Even in the Post-Pandemic Period? An Integrative Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137609. [PMID: 35805267 PMCID: PMC9265299 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Background: For the past two and half years, dentists all across the world, along with their patients, have faced numerous challenges. In this context, the aim of this integrative review was to assess if dentists’ and patients’ attitudes regarding teledentistry (TD) have changed since the COVID-19 outbreak, and if the use of TD will continue to rise, even in the post-pandemic period; (2) Methods: A literature search was performed between August 2021 and January 2022. The PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were searched for articles published between 2012 and 2022 using a combination of the following Mesh terms: “COVID-19”, “pandemic”, “oral telemedicine”, “teledentistry”; (3) Results: Among the 52 included papers, nine papers were published between 2011 and 2019, and 43 articles were published after 2020 (12 were published in 2020, 29 papers were published in 2021, and two in 2022). Among the articles published before 2020, seven out of nine included papers were reviews, and two were original research. Among the 43 papers published after 2020, 18 were reviews and 25 original research. (4) Conclusions: Based on the results of this integrative review, there is clear evidence that the interest in teledentistry and teleassistance in the dental field has increased rapidly, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, while dental practitioners should be encouraged to keep themselves updated about new technologies, patients should also be constantly informed about their options for receiving special oral health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Kui
- Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 32 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.K.); (A.L.); (O.A.); (S.B.)
| | - Codruța Popescu
- Department of Abilities Human Sciences, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Anca Labuneț
- Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 32 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.K.); (A.L.); (O.A.); (S.B.)
| | - Oana Almășan
- Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 32 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.K.); (A.L.); (O.A.); (S.B.)
| | - Adrian Petruțiu
- Department of Periodontology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Mariana Păcurar
- Orthodontic Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Smaranda Buduru
- Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 32 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.K.); (A.L.); (O.A.); (S.B.)
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Ali SA, Ansari WE. Is tele-diagnosis of dental conditions reliable during COVID-19 pandemic? Agreement between tentative diagnosis via synchronous audioconferencing and definitive clinical diagnosis. J Dent 2022; 122:104144. [PMID: 35487287 PMCID: PMC9040478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To assess the reliability of synchronous audioconferencing teledentistry (TD) in making tentative diagnosis compared to definitive clinical face-to-face (CFTF) diagnosis; and whether agreement was influenced by dentist's experience, caller-patient relationship, and time of call. Methods All patients calling the TD hotline during COVID-19 pandemic, triaged as emergency/ urgent and referred for CFTF care were included (N=191). Hotline dentists triaged the calls, made tentative audio-dentistry (AD) diagnosis, while dentists at point of referral made the definitive CFTF diagnosis. Cohen's weighted kappa (κ) assessed the extent of agreement between AD vs CFTF diagnosis. Results There was significantly very good pair-wise agreement (κ = 0.853, P < 0.0001) between AD and CFTF diagnosis. AD diagnosis of pulpitis and periodontitis exhibited the most frequent disagreements. Tele-dentists with ≥ 20 years’ experience exhibited the highest level of agreement (κ =0.872, P < 0.0001). There was perfect agreement when mothers mediated the call (κ = 1, P < 0.0001), and very good agreement for calls received between 7 am-2 pm (κ = 0.880, P < 0.0001) compared to calls received between 2-10 pm (κ = 0.793, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Remote tentative diagnosis using AD is safe and reliable. Reliability was generally very good but varied by dentist's experience, caller-patient relationship, and time of call. Clinical significance The findings suggest that using AD in the home environment is safe and reliable, deploying providers with variable years of experience. The findings have generalizability potential to a variety of similar circumstances, healthcare settings and epi/pandemic situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Abdulreda Ali
- Unit of Orthodontics, Hamad Dental Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK.
| | - Walid El Ansari
- Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar, Doha, Qatar; School of Health and Education, University of Skovde, Skovde, Sweden.
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Hariyani N, Shanbhag N, Wijayati E, Prananta A, Setyowati D, Palupi R. Teledentistry and online referral system in Indonesian primary health care center during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2022; 12:385-392. [DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_244_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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