title: Patients' attitudes towards online dental information and a web-based virtual reality program for clinical dentistry: a pilot investigation in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research investigated (1) the attitudes of dental patients toward searching online for dental information and (2) patients attitudes and expectations towards a web-based 3D virtual reality program for clinical dentistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was conducted in six clinics across two cities in China. Dental patients visiting the six clinics were invited to participate in the study. All subjects browsed a webpage containing the 3D virtual reality dental program. The new media was supplemented as a consultive system for patients into the traditional pattern of seeking dental care procedure. Subjects then completed a questionnaire detailing their attitudes toward their experience with the software. The questionnaire responses were then collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  45% of respondents reported having searched information online before receiving dental care. Respondents held different attitudes towards the online dental information, with a majority reporting a reliance on it but with reservations. Over 50% of respondents held positive attitudes to the web-based virtual reality dental information program, while 21% reported negative views toward the new method. Most respondents reported that the web-based virtual reality program was superior to traditional static web pages, but only as a supplementary material. Respondents also indicated that internet speed may likely be a major determinant to their future usage of such a system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that a considerable portion of respondents conduct their own internet searches for related dental information before seeking professional advice on dental care. Most of the respondents reported positive attitudes towards a web-based virtual reality program for clinical dentistry. However, the current speed of internet connections in China is a major area of concern for the future application and uptake of web-based virtual reality dental software.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School and hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: En
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Enming
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xiangyang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hongbao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yining
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li