Teledentistry – A Multicentric Approach to Promote Oral Health Among Individuals with Cleft Lip and Palate in Rural Areas

Authors

  • Banu Priya S Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
  • Akila Ganesh Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
  • Muthu MS Centre for Early Childhood Caries, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
  • Vignesh K Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
  • Siva Subramanian C Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
  • Subramaniyan B Department of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
  • Gayathri SR Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.160420254965

Keywords:

Cleft lip and palate, Health promotion, Oral health, Teledentistry, Teleconsultation

Abstract

Teledentistry is a novel mode of promoting oral health care. It provides an opportunity for families living in remote areas to access timely/periodic oral healthcare. This approach aims to promote oral health in individuals with repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP) through teledentistry and evaluate its reach. A teledentistry model was implemented in a cohort of individuals with CLP from three rural areas. Teledentistry involved teleconsultations, telemonitoring, and teleeducation through real-time and mobile health methods from a tertiary care center. Over five months, 138 individuals with CLP were teleconsulted, with 64 (46.3%) requiring dental treatment. Teledentistry successfully reached 138 individuals from rural areas, promoting oral health. This approach demonstrates the potential of teledentistry in increasing access to oral healthcare services for individuals with CLP in rural areas.

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Published

2025-04-01

How to Cite

1.
Banu Priya S, Ganesh A, Muthu MS, K V, Subramanian C S, Subramaniyan B, Gayathri SR. Teledentistry – A Multicentric Approach to Promote Oral Health Among Individuals with Cleft Lip and Palate in Rural Areas. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 1 [cited 2025 Apr. 3];16(04):400-4. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/4965

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Short Research Article