Evaluating Maternal Accuracy in Smartphone-Based Tele-Dentistry for Early Childhood Caries Detection

IF 2.2 Q3 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Clinical and Experimental Dental Research Pub Date : 2025-10-03 DOI:10.1002/cre2.70231

Parastoo Iranparvar, Zahra Ghorbani, Sajjad Zandieh, Serlie Hartoonian, Mohsen Shirazi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a public health challenge, leading to long-term dental problems and costs. Limited access to preventive care underscores the need for innovative screening methods. Tele-dentistry, using smartphone-based imaging, offers a scalable solution for ECC detection and intervention.

Objective

This study evaluates the accuracy of maternal smartphone-based ECC assessments compared to professional evaluations as a reliable screening tool.

Methods

A cross-sectional-study recruited 114 mother–child pairs from primary healthcare centers in Tehran province, Iran. Mothers received online training and conducted visual and smartphone-based caries assessments. Two blinded pediatric dentists remotely reviewed images, with findings compared to in-person dental examinations. Sensitivity, specificity, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated.

Results

The mean child age was 4.8 ± 0.9 years with 56.1% boys and 43.9% girls. Mothers had a mean age of 33.2 ± 5.6 years with 55% having a high school diploma or higher. Maternal assessments identified caries in 49/58 cases (84.5%), while pediatric dentists detected 51/58 cases (87.9%). Maternal assessments showed 100% sensitivity and specificity, with strong agreement with professional evaluations (ICC = 0.909–0.988, p < 0.0001). The three methods demonstrated near-perfect concordance (ICC = 0.978, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Maternal-assisted tele-dentistry is a reliable, accessible screening method for ECC, improving early intervention, especially in low resources settings and underserved communities.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

评估母亲在基于智能手机的远程牙科早期儿童龋齿检测中的准确性。

背景：儿童早期龋齿（ECC）是一项公共卫生挑战，导致长期的牙齿问题和费用。获得预防保健的机会有限，这突出表明需要创新的筛查方法。远程牙科使用基于智能手机的成像技术，为ECC检测和干预提供了可扩展的解决方案。目的：本研究评估基于智能手机的母体ECC评估与专业评估作为可靠筛查工具的准确性。方法：一项横断面研究从伊朗德黑兰省的初级卫生保健中心招募了114对母子。母亲们接受了在线培训，并进行了基于视觉和智能手机的龋齿评估。两名不知情的儿科牙医远程查看了图像，并将结果与面对面的牙科检查进行了比较。计算敏感性、特异性和类内相关系数（ICCs）。结果：患儿平均年龄为4.8±0.9岁，男童占56.1%，女童占43.9%。母亲的平均年龄为33.2±5.6岁，其中55%具有高中或更高学历。产妇评估发现49/58例（84.5%）有龋齿，而儿科牙医发现51/58例（87.9%）。结论：孕产妇辅助远程牙科是一种可靠的、可获得的ECC筛查方法，可改善早期干预，特别是在资源匮乏和服务欠缺的社区。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical and Experimental Dental Research DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE-

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

165

审稿时长

26 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical and Experimental Dental Research aims to provide open access peer-reviewed publications of high scientific quality representing original clinical, diagnostic or experimental work within all disciplines and fields of oral medicine and dentistry. The scope of Clinical and Experimental Dental Research comprises original research material on the anatomy, physiology and pathology of oro-facial, oro-pharyngeal and maxillofacial tissues, and functions and dysfunctions within the stomatognathic system, and the epidemiology, aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of diseases and conditions that have an effect on the homeostasis of the mouth, jaws, and closely associated structures, as well as the healing and regeneration and the clinical aspects of replacement of hard and soft tissues with biomaterials, and the rehabilitation of stomatognathic functions. Studies that bring new knowledge on how to advance health on the individual or public health levels, including interactions between oral and general health and ill-health are welcome.