Older adults’ oral health follow-up in primary care: A teledentistry feasibility exploratory study

Abstract

Teledentistry can help answer the rising demand for oral health in homebound older adults.
This study aims to analyze the feasibility of teledentistry in monitoring the oral health of homebound
older adults in primary care, focusing on acceptance, barriers, and system quality. It is a cross-sectional
and exploratory implementation study with a quantitative approach conducted in Primary Health Care
services in Southern Brazil. Twenty older individuals/their caregivers, and five dentists were intentionally
selected. A dentist assessed older adults through an online telehealth system via video call. The AdEQUATE

questionnaire collected data from older adults/caregivers and dentists. Data was analyzed using descrip-
tive statistics. Twenty older adults received the video calls. Most were women aged 80 years or older;

50% received home care; 90% had no prior home dental care. Older adults generally found teledentistry a
comfortable, convenient, safe, and trustworthy care option. However, some dentists expressed skepticism
about its diagnostic accuracy and infrequent use. This highlights the importance of addressing dentists’
concerns in integrating teledentistry into public health services. The study also identified challenges,
including limited equipment and technical issues. Despite this, teledentistry has proven to be a viable
option for timely care, particularly for those unable to attend health facilities.