TEGO: A new concept of teledentistry for the elderly through a web platform and mobile app in the context of the covid-19 pandemic.

  • Víctor Beltrán Clinical Investigation and Dental Innovation Center (CIDIC), Dental School and Center for Translational Medicine (CEMT-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. | Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6046-821X
  • Pablo Acuña-Mardones Clinical Investigation and Dental Innovation Center (CIDIC), Dental School and Center for Translational Medicine (CEMT-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. | Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • Jaime Díaz Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Engineering & Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • Eloy Alvarado Department of Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
  • Alfredo von Marttens Department of Prosthesis, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Abstract

Objective: To develop a new concept of teledentistry for the elderly through a web platform and associated mobile application in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A new concept for attention via teledentistry of the elderly supported by the web platform/app TEGO (Acronym for Tele-platform of Geriatric and Dental Specialties in Spanish) was developed. Priority and urgent dental care for elderly patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic was provided onboard a mobile dental clinic equipped with all the necessary conventional dental care facilities as well as state-of-the-art digital technology. Dental care was carried out in five cities of Chile. For the study, 135 elderly patients were treated. The tele-dental care model includes visit-appointment and remote interconsultation with a staff of specialists. To evaluate patient satisfaction aspects, regarding the service / care provided, a user satisfaction survey was applied. Results: A total of 68 questionnaires were completed by patients. The results showed high levels of patients’ satisfaction after the priority or urgent dental care, which reached above 75% in all dimensions of the questionnaire (Access to dental care, user treatment, platform, recommendation). Conclusion: The generation of a technological eco-system for teledentistry can provide a series of important advantages in the attention of elderly patients, by optimizing the dental care coverage by different specialists who can provide attention to a population that has limited or no access to them.

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Published
2022-04-28
How to Cite
BELTRÁN, Víctor et al. TEGO: A new concept of teledentistry for the elderly through a web platform and mobile app in the context of the covid-19 pandemic.. Journal of Oral Research, [S.l.], p. 1-8, apr. 2022. ISSN 0719-2479. Available at: <https://joralres.com/index.php/JOralRes/article/view/joralres.2022.023>. Date accessed: 28 mar. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.17126/joralres.2022.023.