Telehealth technologies insertion in the work of oral health teams

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the integration of telehealth technologies into the work of Primary Oral Health Care Teams in Recife, Pernambuco. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at all dentists (26) actively practicing in health units within Sanitary District IV. Data collection took place in the second half of 2023 through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistical calculations. Twenty-one subjects were interviewed, representing a loss of 19.23%. The predominant age group was 40 to 60 years (66.65%), and females accounted for 76.20% of the sample; 95.23% entered through a competitive examination, and all had postgraduate qualifications, mainly in Family Health (46.42%) and Public Health (25.0%). The majority (61.90%) reported using telehealth/tele-dentistry services recommended by the institution (85.71%), but only 38.09% used them for user guidance and/or treatment monitoring. These technologies were most commonly used for stomatology (64.70%), specialist teleconsultations (11.76%), and patient monitoring (11.76%). Telephone contact was the predominant digital medium used (44.44%), with only 18.51% reporting tele-appointments. None had participated in tele-dentistry training courses (95.23%), but 69.23% felt competent in using these technologies. Only 28.57% had used such technologies before Covid-19, while 85.71% used them during the pandemic. It was concluded that these technologies are being integrated into the work of the interviewed professionals; however, there are constraints on their use, and ongoing education initiatives should be planned to enhance confidence in the extended and continuous use of these digital technologies.