Teledentistry Improves Dental Screening for Prisoners in Thailand

Thailand: A recent study has explored the use of teledentistry and intraoral cameras (IOC) in facilitating a dental disease screening program for prisoners in Thailand. The study aimed to test the diagnostic accuracy of teledentistry examination compared to direct oral examination by a dentist. 

The researchers findings were published in the BDJ Open Journal under the title “Facilitating dental disease screening program in prisoners using an intraoral camera in teledentistry.”

Teledentistry involves the use of information and communication technologies to support oral health care delivery, consultation, referral, and patient-health professional communication and knowledge sharing. It increases oral health service accessibility, reduces the human resource and financial burden, and improves oral health of people. In addition, teledentistry reduces inequity in oral health care during unfavorable circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and some restricted locations, such as remote areas, long-term care facilities, and prisons.

“Good Health Good Heart” Project

The dental health problems of prisoners in Thailand have been reported due to crowded prison circumstances and limited healthcare personnel. The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand has established and conducted a health care project called the “Good Health Good Heart” project to address oral health problems among prisoners nationwide. The project focuses on improving the health service system, disease prevention, and health promotion, as well as providing psychological health and oral healthcare services.

In the study, the prisoner health volunteers (PHVs) enrolled in teledentistry training for IOC use, and an IOC was used to examine dental diseases of prisoners who reported dental-related problems and captured symptomatic areas. A PHV and a dentist independently determined tentative dental treatment needs. Another dentist performed direct oral examination of the prisoners who reported problems in phase II and determined dental treatment needs.

Results of the Study

The results of the study showed that teledentistry and direct examination between two dentists had a diagnostic accuracy of above 80%, and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. The lowest sensitivity and specificity of teledentistry examination by the PHV were scaling and surgical removal. The imaging obtained from teledentistry was not adequate to accurately identify all dental treatment needs due to limitations in making a definite diagnosis of pulp and periodontal status.

The study concludes that teledentistry facilitates dentists in conducting dental diseases screening programs for prisoners, and using IOC, the dentists achieved acceptable diagnostic accuracy in identifying possible dental treatment needs compared with direct oral examination. However, there are limitations in using teledentistry to accurately identify all dental treatment needs.

This study provides valuable insights into the use of teledentistry in improving oral healthcare accessibility and addressing oral health problems among prisoners. With the limitations identified in this study, it is essential to continue exploring the potential of teledentistry in other settings and to develop effective strategies for providing oral healthcare services.

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