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Cited by 155Dental Research and COVID-19Dental Health and Care UtilizationOral microbiology and periodontitis research

Teledentistry and mHealth for Promotion and Prevention of Oral Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Fernández, C.E., Maturana, C.A., Coloma, S.I., Carrasco-Labra, A., Giacaman, R.A.·2021·Journal of Dental Research
DOI 10.1177/00220345211003828
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Abstract

The dental profession has experienced a dramatic acceleration in the use of communication systems and information-based technologies over recent years, originating new paradigms for the prevention and promotion of oral health. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effect of teledentistry-based (telematic) strategies, reported in randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized trials, with a focus on oral health prevention and promotion–related outcomes in patients of all ages. We searched Medline via PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science from inception until August 2020, regardless of the language of publication. We selected studies for inclusion and conducted data extraction, assessed risk of bias (Cochrane tool), and evaluated the certainty of the evidence (GRADE approach) in duplicate and independently. Out of 898 potentially eligible references, we selected 43 for full-text screening, of which 19 studies proved eligible: 18 randomized controlled trials and 1 quasi-randomized study. Virtual interventions were mostly asynchronous via apps ( n = 9), text messages ( n = 9), or computer-aided learning ( n = 1). The use of teledentistry as compared with conventional strategies may result in a large reduction in the plaque index (standardized mean difference, −1.18; 95% CI, −1.54 to −0.82; I 2 = 92%; low certainty) and will likely result in a large reduction in the gingival index (standardized mean difference, −2.17; 95% CI, −3.15 to −1.19; I 2 = 97%; moderate certainty) and in the incidence of white spot lesions (risk ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.66; I 2 = 0%; moderate certainty), with an increased effect over time. Evidence suggests that teledentistry, particularly mHealth (messages and apps), is a promising clinical tool for preventing and promoting oral health, especially under the accelerated virtualization of dentistry. Future studies should include a broader spectrum of the population, including adults and elders, to better inform policy and implementation of teledentistry (PROSPERO: CRD42020192685).

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  • In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, the use of smartphone apps, text messages, and computer-aided learning for improving OH resulted in a large reduction in the plaque and gingival index.

    “In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, the use of smartphone apps, text messages, and computer-aided learning for improving OH resulted in a large reduction in the plaque and gingival index [91].”

    From Behavioral Interventions on Periodontitis Patients to Improve Oral Hygiene: A Systematic Review (2023) · cites this paper as [91]

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Authors
Fernández, C. E., Maturana, C. A., Coloma, S. I., Carrasco-Labra, A., & Giacaman, R. A.
Affiliations
  • Universidad de Talca (CL)
  • Cariology Unit, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
  • Department of Evidence Synthesis and Translation Research, Science and Research Institute, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL, USA
Corresponding author
Fernández, C.E.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Dental Research
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2021-03-26
Volume
100
Issue
9
Pages
914-927
ISSN
  • 0022-0345 (ISSN-L)
  • 1544-0591
DOI
10.1177/00220345211003828
OpenAlex
W3137908335
Cited by
152
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 11
FWCI
6.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Dental Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › General Dentistry › Dental Research and COVID-19
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
Keywords
teledentistry, mobile health, oral health promotion, oral health prevention, plaque index, gingival index, white spot lesions, mobile health apps, text messaging, computer-assisted instruction, telemedicine
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Dental Plaque Index, Humans, Oral Health, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Telemedicine

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