Internet usage by pediatric dental practices in Connecticut.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine Internet usage by pediatric dental practices in Connecticut.


METHODS
A seven-item anonymous survey was mailed to all the 64 pediatric dentists in private practice in Connecticut. Each survey form was mailed along with a stamped and pre-addressed return envelope. Frequency distribution analyses and chi-square tests were performed.


RESULTS
The survey had a response rate of 73%. More than three-fourths of the pediatric dental practices were connected to the Internet. Seventy-two percent of the practices submitted third-party claims electronically. Almost all of the respondents did not use email to communicate with patients or to discuss individual patient issues with other health care providers. Only two-fifths of the practices had a World Wide Web site.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the pediatric dental practices in Connecticut were connected to the Internet. Electronic third-party claims submission was the predominant Internet service used by these practices.
Nainar
S M Hashim
SM
Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Redford-Badwal
Deborah A
DA
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003237:Connecticut; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006124:Group Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires