DENTAL TELEMEDICINE

ADOPTION IN THE
PHILIPPINES DURING
THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND
A PROPOSED GUIDELINES

BEYOND
 Presented to
The Faculty Graduate School
of ST.PAUL UNIVERSITY
MANILA
PRESENTED BY :

Lorelyn Gillesania- Silva

Master in Hospital Administration
Background and
Objectives
OBJECTIVE
S
Backgroun
d Dental telemedicine, or
teledentistry, has become a vital
tool.

No written guidelines are available

regarding the practice of dental
telemedicine in the Philippines.
 Research Objectives
To capture and provide a rich
description and overview of the
state of dental telemedicine
adoption in the Philippines amid
and beyond the pandemic.
Will benefit the following:
-Dentists, Policy Makers, Educators, Administrators and
Future researchers
 This study will attempt to answer
the following questions:
1.How do the dentists who adopted dental telemedicine in the Philippines handle their
patients during COVID-19 Pandemic in terms of:
1.1. applications, software, platforms, and devices used
2.What are the dental services/processes offered by dentists in the Philippines to
patients through dental telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
3.What are the experiences of dentists in the Philippines who adopted dental
telemedicine in the management of their patients during COVID-19 Pandemic?
4.Based on the findings of the study, what guidelines can be proposed that will be
most helpful for a dentist in providing dental telemedicine?
Results
Profile of the
Respondents
ALL
PARTICIPANTS
ARE CURRENTLY
PRACTICING IN
LUZON.

PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA

Profile of the
Respondents
•THE YOUNGEST =
34 YEARS OLD

•The oldest = 59
years old

PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA

 Profile of the
Sex Respondents
Frequency
•MAJORITY
Percentage
OF THE
PARTICIPANTS ARE
FEMALE
Male 4 17%

•4 male participants
Female 19 83%

PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA

 Profile of the
Practice
Setting Respondents Frequency Percentage

Public Health Dentists 4 17%

Private
Practitioners 19 83%

PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA

Profile of the
Respondents

PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA

 Problem 1: How do the dentists who adopted dental
telemedicine in the Philippines handle their patients during
COVID-19 Pandemic in terms of: Use of applications,
software, platforms, and devices?
Websites/Software/Applications, or Platforms Utilized by
Dentists
FACEBOOK/
MESSENGER
VIBER
WHATSAPP
ZOOM
GOOGLE MEET
SERIOUS MD
(WEBSITE)
KONSULTAMD
PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA
Equipment/Gadget that the participants are using to conduct
dental telemedicine:

SMARTPHONE
LAPTOP
TABLET

PRESENTED BY : LORELYN GILLESANIA-SILVA

Problem 2: What are the dental services/processes offered by
dentists in the Philippines to patients through dental
telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Dental Telemedicine Practical Application
Functions/Applications Frequency of Adopters Percentage of Adopters

Referrals to Other Practitioners 22 96%

Giving E-Prescriptions or Pharmacologic Management 22 96%

Appointment Setting 22 96%

Patient Education 21 91%

Post-Operative Care 19 83%

Screening Process for Dental Telemedicine 17 74%

Dental Triage 16 70%

Selling Products to Patients 14 61%

Dental Telemedicine Practical Application
Functions/Applications Frequency of Adopters Percentage of Adopters

Accepting Dental Tourism 11 48%

Home Services 0 0%

Virtual Dental Forensic Evaluation 0 0%

 Problem 3: What are the experiences of dentists in the
Philippines who adopted dental telemedicine in the
management of their patients during COVID-19 Pandemic?
 Onset of Dental Telemedicine Practice
Date of Start of Dental Telemedicine Frequency Percentage
Practice

Before Pandemic 5 21.7%

During the Pandemic 17 73.91%

PARTICIPANT 20 MENTIONED, “I’VE BEEN CONDUCTING DENTAL TELEMEDICINE

TO HELP RELATIVES AND CLOSE FRIENDS SINCE I PASSED THE BOARDS.”
 Dental Telemedicine Schedule
Time Frame Frequency Percentage

No Specific Time/ASAP 8 34.78%

 

During clinic
  hours 9 39.13%

Only in Emergency
Situation 1 4.35%
 

By Appointment 1 4.35%
 

After Clinic Hours 1 4.35%

 
 Dental Telemedicine Schedule
• PROMPTLY RESPONDING TO PATIENTS' INQUIRIES,
PARTICULARLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

• TYPICALLY, DENTISTS ARE AVAILABLE TO RESPOND TO DENTAL

TELEMEDICINE INQUIRIES DURING THEIR CLINIC HOURS

• MOST DENTISTS EXPRESSED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO

ACCOMMODATE PATIENTS OUTSIDE OF CLINIC HOURS

PARTICIPANT 2 : “MOST OF MY INQUIRIES ARE FROM PEOPLE I KNOW, RELATIVES OR FRIENDS OR

FRIENDS OF RELATIVES OR LONG-TIME PATIENTS. THEREFORE, I TRY TO RESPOND TO THEIR MESSAGES
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY.”
Compensation for Dental Telemedicine
Services
Frequency Percentage

16 69.6%

1 4.35%

1 4.35%

1 4.35%

6 26%

3 13%
Compensation for Dental Telemedicine
Services
Payment Mechanism Frequency Percentage

Gcash 7 30.43%
 

Bank Transfer 5 21.74%

 

PayMaya 1 4.35%
 

Non Specific Online

Payment 1 4.35%
 

No Answer 3 13%
 
Compensation for Dental Telemedicine
Services
• most dentists do not charge for dental
telemedicine consultation

• some may charge a fee for consultations

that require further treatment or
diagnostics

• dentists appear to be flexible in terms of

payment methods, accepting a variety of
online payment options: as Gcash,
PayMaya, and online bank transfer,
platform.
Compensation for Dental Telemedicine
Services
Participant 11 explained their approach, stating, “No
charge. They are usually relatives or old/existing patients.”

Participant 15 shared their experience during the lockdown,

stating, “During the lockdown, I didn’t generally charge for
the teleconsult, but if some of the patients insisted, payment
was via gcash or bank transfer.”

Participant 20 stated, “The platforms have their own

payment system and they’re depositing straight into my
bank account.”
 Difficulties Encountered During Dental
Difficulties
Telemedicine Frequency Percentage

Challenges in Visualizing the Oral 10 43.48%

Cavity/Receiving Blurred Pictures

Limitations in Obtaining Comprehensive 10 43.48%

Diagnostic Information

Relying on Patient's Subjective Perception 1 4.35%

for Diagnosis

Connectivity Problems 3 13.04%

Abuse of Telemedicine by Patients 2 8.7%

Technological Proficiency Challenges in 1 4.35%

Patients
Difficulties Encountered During Dental
Telemedicine
Participant 18 : “When I ask patients to take a
photo of their dental concern, most of the time
the picture sent to me are blurry.”

Participant 3 : “You’ll just base your diagnosis

mostly from patient’s perception of things he/she
see or feel.”

Participant 20 : “The challenge includes if the

patient (usually elderly) is not aware of how to
use his gadget, so there are times that the
consultation will be cut short or we need to have
a repeat.”
Problem 4: Based on the findings of the study, what guidelines
can be proposed that will be most helpful for a dentist in
providing dental telemedicine?
 Training Needs of Dentists
Training Needs Frequency Percentage.

Best
Practices for Virtual Diagnostic Procedures and 4 17.39%
Dental Triage

Applications 3 13.04%
Utilized for Dental Telemedicine

Sample 3 13.04%
Template, Flyers and Forms

Recommended 1 4.35%
Gadgets for Conducting Telemedicine Services

Ethical 3 13.04%
Considerations/Privacy Act
Dental Telemedicine Guidelines

CHAPTER I: Exploring the Landscape of Dental Telemedicine

A. Introduction
B. Unveiling Dental Telemedicine: Definition and Purpose
C. Benefits of Dental Telemedicine
D. Expanding the Scope: Services Provided Through Dental Telemedicine
CHAPTER II: Legal and Regulatory Considerations
A. Persons Allowed To Engage In Dental Telemedicine
B. Familiarization with Local Laws and Regulations
C. Documentation Practices
D. Professional Fees
CHAPTER III: Technology and Communication Platform
A. Technical Requirements
B. Platforms that Can Be Used to Conduct Dental Telemedicine
CHAPTER IV: Telemedicine Consultation Process
A. Scheduling and Preparation Techniques for Virtual Consultations
B. Conducting Video Consultations and Patient Assessments
C. Exploring the Boundaries: Understanding Limitations in Remote Consultations

AUTHOR
Lorelyn Gillesania-Silva
Dentist, Navotas City Hospital
MHA Student
St. Paul Univerisity Manila
Observations
• Dentists face the challenge of juggling various
responsibilities, including patient care and
administrative tasks, which makes it difficult for
them to promptly address every message

• Researchers need to anticipate potential delays

when seeking dentists' participation in studies.
Allowing ample time for dentists to review and
respond to invitations significantly increases the
likelihood of their engagement.

• Availability of reliable internet connectivity,

suitable devices and applications emerged as crucial
prerequisites for successful communication
between researchers and participants, similar to the
requirements in dental telemedicine experiences.
Conclusion
 Conclusion
•The study surveyed 23 dental professionals who have incorporated telemedicine into
their practices, primarily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that
the majority of participants use dental telemedicine for:
•COVID-19 screening
• Dental triage
•Postoperative care
•Referrals to other healthcare professionals
•Pharmacological management
•Scheduling appointments
•Patient education about oral hygiene.

•Regarding the platforms used for dental telemedicine, almost all participants use
Facebook and Facebook Messenger

•In terms of equipment, all participants use their smartphones for telemedicine
consultations
 Conclusion
•The study also found that most dentists respond promptly to patients' inquiries, particularly in
emergency situations, during their clinic hours.

•Most dentist started their dental telemedicine services during the pandemic.

•The majority of dentists do not charge for dental telemedicine consultations. Dentists accept a
variety of online payment options.

•The study identified some challenges in dental telemedicine consultations, such as difficulty in
diagnosing and treating patients remotely, as well as technological issues and lack of training.

•However, the study also found that dentists are willing to learn and adapt to new technologies
and challenges to continue providing quality care to their patients. To further enhance their
capabilities, dentists require additional support, training, and resources that can increase their
confidence and equip them to provide effective and efficient dental telemedicine services.
Recommendations/
Implications
 Recommendations
• Dentists should explore incorporating telemedicine into their dental
practices.

• Dentists can consider using widely available messaging and video

conferencing applications that are user-friendly and accessible to both
dental practitioners and patients.

• By utilizing smartphones or laptops, which are widely available, dentists

can conduct dental telemedicine consultations conveniently.

• It is advisable for dentists to consider charging an acceptable fee for

dental telemedicine consultations, particularly for cases that require
additional treatment or diagnostics.
 Recommendations
• Future research should conduct studies to evaluate the effectiveness of
teledentistry interventions.

• Researchers should anticipate and plan for potential delays in response

from dentists when reaching out for participation in studies or surveys.

• Hospital and clinic administrators should prioritize the development of

robust telemedicine infrastructure, including secure video conferencing
platforms

• Provide comprehensive training to healthcare professionals on

telemedicine best practices, encompassing communication skills,
technology usage, and patient privacy.
 Implications
• For hospital administrators, the findings provide valuable insights into the challenges
and opportunities associated with implementing telemedicine services. The study
offers guidance on best practices, and the integration of telemedicine into healthcare
delivery models.

• For future researchers, this study opens up avenues for further investigation. It
identifies specific training needs and areas where more research is warranted, such as
the development of standardized protocols and the exploration of patient experiences
and satisfaction.

• For dentists practicing dental telemedicine, this study offers practical guidelines and
tools to enhance their services.

• For the researcher pursuing a Master's degree in Hospital Administration, this study
enhances knowledge and skill set. Leveraging this expertise, the researcher can
effectively implement new technologies in healthcare.
Dental Telemedicine
Adoption in the
Philippines during Covid-
19 and beyond