Evaluating the Impact of Teledentistry on Patient Outcomes, Diagnostic Accuracy, and Satisfaction in a Prospective Observational Analysis

Background Teledentistry, defined as the use of telecommunication technologies for dental care, has emerged as a transformative approach to oral health services. This prospective observational analysis aims to comprehensively assess the impact of teledentistry on patient outcomes and satisfaction, addressing key aspects such as diagnostic accuracy, longitudinal treatment outcomes, and economic and logistical considerations. Methods The study involved 242 participants selected from diverse dental clinics offering teledentistry services. Participants could choose between traditional in-person visits and teledentistry consultations. The teledentistry interventions included remote consultations, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment planning facilitated through virtual communication tools. Baseline assessments captured initial dental conditions, and follow-up assessments were conducted at three, six, and 12 months. Outcome measures included diagnostic accuracy, patient satisfaction, changes in dental conditions over time, and economic and logistical feedback. Results Descriptive statistics revealed baseline characteristics, with participants evenly distributed between in-person and teledentistry groups. However, the overall satisfaction with diagnoses was significantly lower in the teledentistry group as compared to the in-person group (p < 0.001). Longitudinal assessments demonstrated comparable changes in dental conditions between the two groups. Economic feedback highlighted a cost-saving advantage for teledentistry users, with 80% reporting reduced expenses. Conclusion This study highlights the transformative potential of teledentistry in expanding access to oral health services, reducing costs, and providing comparable treatment outcomes to traditional in-person care. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the teledentistry experience, addressing patient satisfaction concerns, and refining the delivery of remote dental care to maximize its benefits for both patients and healthcare systems.

Characterization of cervicofacial lymphnodes - a clinical and ultrasonographic study

BACKGROUND

Lymph nodes undergo reactive changes in response to a wide variety of stimuli, the most common cause being inflammatory and immune reactions, apart from primary malignant neoplasms and metastatic tumours. It is well accepted that a clinical examination alone cannot be considered diagnostic to justify the involvement of cervicofacial lymph nodes especially deep and small nodes. Ultrasonography is an easy, reproducible, non invasive, non-ionizing imaging modality to evaluate cervicofacial lymph nodes.

AIM

The present study was devised with an aim of comparing the clinical and ultrasonographic features of cervicofacial lymphadenopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects for the study were selected from the patients who visited the outpatient department with clinically palpable lymph nodes. Fifty two patients were included in the study and they were divided into 4 groups; group I (subjects with odontogenic infections), group II (subjects with non odontogenic oral conditions), group III (subjects with tuberculosis) and group IV (subjects with head and neck carcinomas). A detailed case history was recorded and a thorough clinical examination was carried out for all subjects. The cervicofacial lymph nodes were palpated and examined. Ultrasonographic examination of cervicofacial lymph nodes was carried out and recorded. The statistical analysis was done using chi square test.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

Most of the subjects considered for the study showed cervicofacial lymphadenopathy associated with odontogenic causes, specific infections like tuberculosis and head and neck malignancies. The lymph nodes showed varied clinical features. The ultrasonographic features such as number, size, shape, short axis/long axis ratio, border sharpness, hilum, echogenicity, distribution of the internal echoes, intranodal necrosis, matting or soft tissue edema were evaluated. The results were tabulated and statistical analysis was done.