title: Knowledge and Awareness of Teledentistry among Dental Professionals - A Cross Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of technology in the form of smart phones and other electronic media in day to day life has become an integral part of life today. Technology today is seeing a paradigm shift towards better inter-professional communications which can help doctors, patients and the masses as a whole. Putting these technological advancements to good use evolves as a major milestone in medicine/ dentistry in the form of telemedicine/teledentistry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was aimed at knowing the knowledge and awareness of teledentistry among dental professionals of a dental college in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a dental college in India and was circulated among dental professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge and awareness of teledentistry and was circulated among dental professionals in a dental college. The data thus collected was statistically analysed and results obtained.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data collected was statistically analysed using SPSS software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 406 persons responded to the questionnaire. In the present study it was found that the knowledge and awareness about teledentistry was very low among post graduates (7.23%) and interns (9.38%) when compared to I & II BDS while most of them agreed that teledentistry is a practice of dentistry through various media options with limited application in dentistry without a legal issue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, it was apparent that most of the respondents were lacking adequate knowledge and awareness on teledentistry. Hence, there is an immense need to create awareness among dental professionals on teledentistry as the future lies in technological advancement. Tele dentistry can mark the beginning of a new era in dentistry. This can be achieved by conducting CDE programs and awareness campaigns/programs which helps in various levels.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Mamatha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boringi
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Shefali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waghray
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Reddy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lavanya
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Department, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Dara Balaji Gandhi
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Raj Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Badam
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Niharika
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harsha
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Komali
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Garlapati
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya College of Dental Sciences , Hyderabad, India .
authors.forename: Sunanda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chavva
keywords: Dental Care; Oral Health; Technology