Healthcare Providers' Perspectives on Teledentistry Use in Supporting Oral Care of First Nations Children: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background

Facilitating pediatric oral healthcare access in remote First Nations communities in Canada is a challenge due to costs, accessibility, and provider availability. A diverse healthcare workforce confronts this task and could benefit from teledentistry utilization.

Aim

Understand the perspectives of healthcare providers in remote First Nations communities on the potential benefits of teledentistry to improve access to pediatric oral healthcare.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study design was used to elaborate on the experiences of community-based healthcare providers. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted virtually. Thematic analysis was applied to interview transcripts, which were then organized and categorized into recurring themes.

Results

Dental professionals, nurses, and a paramedic participated in the study. Themes that emerged included “facilitating interprofessional collaboration, documentation, and communication”; “mitigating burden for patients and the system”; “delivering education”; and “concerns with feasibility.” Knowledge mobilization feedback from community members was confirmatory of the results.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that teledentistry can be beneficial in supporting healthcare providers serving remote First Nations communities, where access to and sustainability of oral healthcare are a challenge. The favored response to teledentistry reflects that this medium could aid in addressing the management of the considerable levels of oral disease among the pediatric population.