Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards teledentistry during COVID pandemic among undergraduate dentistry students and interns of a private dental institute of Nagpur city

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study were to assess the knowledge and evaluate the attitude toward teledentistry during COVID pandemic among undergraduate dental students and interns of a private dental institute of Nagpur-MS. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among the UG dentistry students and interns of VSPM Dental College & Research Centre, Nagpur, over a period of 1 month. Results: A total of 307 students and interns were surveyed in this study. Out of them, 175 (57%) said that they were aware of the term teledentistry. Two hundred and twenty-seven (74%) participants felt that teledentistry can improve the reach of oral health care to rural areas and during pandemic and 256 (83%) said that they want to practice teledentistry. Conclusion: The knowledge of interns regarding teledentistry was good. Their attitude toward applying it in the profession was satisfactory. More than 80% of students were willing to practice teledentistry and 60% thought that it is the future of dentistry. The future perspective will be assessing more students and interns for more insight on topic.