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Using digital workflow and teledentistry to improve multidisciplinary assessment for hypodontia patients in a rural area: does it work? Pamela Ellis Teniola Oyeleye Angharad Truman
BDS (Hons), MFDS, M PROS, FDS (Rest Dent) RCSEd, MSc, PGCME, FHEA, Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean (DCT) Wales, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton; Associate Professor for Restorative Dentistry, Plymouth University
The authors of this article have designed a multidisciplinary clinic in Dorset that reduces travel for hypodontia patients in rural areas and uses a digital workflow. Patients attend a clinic with their consultant orthodontist and are joined by video calls (Microsoft Teams) from their consultant in restorative dentistry. The authors have evaluated the effectiveness of this clinic from the viewpoint of both patients and clinicians. Participants in the evaluation included 53 patients who attended the clinic and six clinical team members. The results showed that patients and parents overwhelmingly felt the new clinic structure was successful. Clinicians felt it brought numerous benefits, including enhanced data gathering, greater collaboration and increased teaching opportunities.
CPD/Clinical Relevance:
CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article provides an example of how a digital workflow and teledentistry can reduce travel for hypodontia patients and could be replicated in other regions, particularly in more rural locations.
Article
Multidisciplinary hypodontia clinics in the UK were first established over 25 years ago at the Eastman Dental Hospital.1 Clinics typically consist of patients being assessed by a range of specialists from two or more of the following specialities: orthodontics, restorative dentistry, paediatric dentistry and oral surgery. McSwiney1 reported that 61% of teaching hospitals, but only 8% of district hospitals, had multidisciplinary clinics dedicated to managing hypodontia patients. Many district hospitals, particularly those in rural locations, do not employ a consultant in restorative dentistry. Although orthodontic care can be carried out locally, patients may have to travel for a multidisciplinary assessment and pre- and postorthodontic restorative care. Traditionally, clinics have been face to face. However, following the implementation of lockdown measures to stem the spread of COVID-19, dental teams were challenged to explore alternative patient assessment methods. Many dentists used teledentistry techniques, including video conferencing and telephone clinics, to maintain NHS services and continuity of care.
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