428 - Parental Perceptions of Telehealth for Underage Three Dental Visits

Abstract:

Purpose: There is a lack of evidence regarding how parents of young children perceive the use of teledentistry. This study examined whether parents prefered a teledentistry visit rather than an in-person visit for their child’s dental examination. It was hypothesized that parents would be more likely to prefer an in-person visit compared to a teledentistry visit.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 26th 2025 and February 15th 2026 at the UNMC/Children’s Hospital Nebraska Pediatric Dental Clinic. The study population included parents of children under four who scheduled a dental visit. These parents were offered either a telehealth or in-person visit during appointment scheduling. Additionally, they were asked to participate in a one time survey to learn about parent familiarity with telehealth, perceived barriers, and child sociodemographic characteristics including age, distance to the clinic, and race/ethinicity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize characteristics of parents in this population.

Results: Out of approximately (N=240) parents with scheduled visits, 31 completed the survey. Preliminary results indicated only 32% of surveyed parents preferred a teledentistry visit, with travel distance to the clinic identified as an important factor influencing the choice between telehealth and in-person care. Further analysis will compare characteristics of parents who chose teledentistry versus those who did not.

Conclusions: The findings provide insight on the perceived impact of teledentistry on access to dental care for young children and how it can be used to supplement in-person exams.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: This study was supported by the Child Health Research Institute (CHRI) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.