Whatsapp As A Communication Tool For Treating Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Dental Practitioners

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A. Sankari Niveditha, Dr Santhosh Kumar M P

Abstract

WhatsApp messenger is a new generation mobile application that allows easy exchange of text messages, images, audio and video files using internet connection. It is a simple, economical and effective means of communication tool. Dental practitioners are well trained to provide services that include preventive procedures for adults and children, restorative procedures like crowns, dentures, and dental implants. Private dental practice is blooming in India to cater to the increasing rate of population. It is quite conceivable that many dental practitioners might be using WhatsApp in their day-to-day practice for both general and ‘dentistry related purposes’.


AIM : To assess the knowledge and extent of WhatsApp usage for dentistry related purposes among dental practitioners.


MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted among dental practitioners in Chennai, India. The study involved 100 dental practitioners. The questionnaire was framed to assess: (a) Use of WhatsApp for taking second opinions; (b) Usefulness of dentistry related groups on WhatsApp and (c) Doctor-patient interaction on WhatsApp. Dental practitioners with either ‘BDS’ or ‘MDS’ degree were included in the present study. Data was collected and entered in spreadsheets and statistically analyzed using SPSS software.


RESULTS: 45% of the dental practitioners who participated in the survey had more than 10 years of experience. 88% of the dental practitioners have WhatsApp installed in their mobile phones. Oral surgery was the most common discipline that they usually obtain a second opinion. Clinical photographs are the most common kind of details that were sent in WhatsApp. The association between the year of experience and obtaining a second opinion through WhatsApp shows the highest percentage among dental practitioners who had more than 10 years of experience.


CONCLUSION: Majority of dental practitioners significantly use WhatsApp for dentistry related purposes and it has become an integral part of their day-to-day practice. All these findings suggest a positive impact of WhatsApp on good dental healthcare practice.


 

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