247 - In-Person Follow Up Following Teledental Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic required significant changes in the dental field to reduce the risk of viral transmission, including the use of teledentistry. This study will compare the rate of follow up visits for definitive treatment between new and established patients of the Holyoke Health Center (HHC) that had a teledental visit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Electronic dental records were examined for 48 patients, including 24 new patients (patients who had not been seen previously at HHC) and 24 established patients (patients who had a previous in-person visit at HHC), who had a teledental visit with a provider at the Holyoke Health Center Pediatric Dental Clinic to determine the rate of follow up visits for definitive treatment.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.044) in the reason for teledentistry visits between new and established patients; 83% of new patients and 66.7% of established patients requested a teledental visit for pain. There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.036) between the teledentistry diagnosis between new and established patients; 75% of new patients and 58.3% of established patients received a diagnosis of pain following their teledental consult. Overall 75% of teledental consults were for pain and 83% did not report for an in person follow up visit.

Conclusion: This study did not show a significant difference in follow up visit rate between established and new patients for definitive treatment.