The role of teledentistry in improving oral health outcomes and access to dental care: An umbrella review.

Objectives: This umbrella review aims to synthesise and summarise the role of teledentistry in improving oral health outcomes and access to dental care.

Methods: We searched the databases PubMed (Medline), Scopus, CINHAL, OVID, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews & Implementation Reports and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews through March 2024. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses on teledentistry were eligible for inclusion. No publication time or language restrictions were applied. Our search retrieved 24 studies for which we conducted quality assessments using the Joanna Biggs Institute (JBI) for Systematic Reviews and Research Synthesis Critical Appraisal Tool. Results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results: Studies addressed clinical oral health outcomes, health-related quality of life and patient experience, access to dental care and cost-effectiveness of teledentistry compared to conventional, face-to-face dental consultations. We found that there was consensus that teledentistry enhanced oral health through the early detection of oral lesions and increased access to dental care in remote areas and was time- and cost-saving.

Conclusion: Teledentistry can improve oral health outcomes and access to dental care. Future research on its impact on oral health equity is warranted.