Beneficios y barreras de la atención por teleodontología y presencial, de pacientes durante la pandemia de Covid-19: Un estudio cualitativo

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on in-person dental care, driving the adoption of teleodontics as a virtual mode of healthcare delivery. This has led to a signifi-cant transformation in the interaction between dental professionals and patients, adapting to new ways of meeting their healthcare needs. Objective: To explore the benefits and barriers associated with in-person dental care and teleodontics from the perspective of patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methodology: An exploratory and descriptive qualitative study was conducted. A total of 20 qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals who had used dental services both in-person and online during the Covid-19 pandemic. Qualitative thematic analysis of the collected information was performed. Results: In in-person care, patients placed importance on the implemented biosecurity measures, and fear of contagion emerged as one of the main reasons for avoiding this mode of care. However, patients positively valued the ability to address their dental problems immediately. On the other hand, in teleodontics, they mentioned being unaware of this service and were motivated by the desire to avoid the risk of contagion. However, they pointed out challenges related to the need to demonstrate autonomy in performing certain exams by themselves. Conclusion: In-person dental care remains essential for many patients, and the implemen-tation of rigorous biosecurity standards should not pose a risk of contagion. On the other hand, teleodontics presents itself as a valuable alternative for those patients who do not require immediate clinical intervention, and it is mostly well-evaluated by those who have experienced it.