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Purpose: Research has shown an increase in dental hygiene (DH) students' knowledge and attitudes toward teledentistry (TD) after TD training in states with permissive but not restrictive DH scope of practice policies. The purpose of this study was to identify self-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding TD among the DH students at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill before and after an educational intervention and student recommendations for TD curriculum placement. Methods: A faculty presentation and video demonstration, followed by small group discussions and a large group debriefing session were conducted at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry in March 2019. Participants were invited to complete a survey before and after the educational session. McNemar's matched pair test was used to compare the proportion of the participants' pre- and post-test responses. Results: Survey participants (n=30) included first year and second year DH students. There was significant difference (p<0.001) between pre and post self-reported knowledge of TD as well as a significant difference in participant's response (p=0.012) about facilitating consultation with health care specialists through TD in NC. There was a significant difference in favorable responses (p=0.0394) that TD could increase reimbursement to dentists to enhance the provision of more services in NC. Students identified didactic courses (43%), simulated cases (47%), and integration into the DH community rotations (66%) as potential ways to incorporate TD into curriculum. Most students (93%) identified DH restricted scope of practice as a barrier to TD implementation in NC. Conclusion: The educational session resulted in increased self-reported knowledge and demonstrated positive attitudes toward the adoption of TD into multiple facets of DH curriculum. A major barrier to its adoption into practice is the DH restricted scope of practice in NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The first statewide teledentistry (TD) Summit in North Carolina (NC) was convened by the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill in 2018. The purpose of this analysis is to compare Summit participants' understanding of TD, its benefits, challenges, solutions and the role of dental hygienists, pre- and post-Summit. Methods. Summit invitees included leaders in related policy, education, advocacy, legislation, technology and UNC dental hygiene and dental students. Descriptive analyses and exact McNemar's matched pair tests compared proportions of participants' responses to pre- and post-Summit surveys. Results. Response rates were pre-Summit 75.3% (n= 58) and post-Summit 70.1% (n= 47); matched pre-post survey pairs (n=42). Pre-Summit respondents reported their primary role in administration (48.0%), teaching and mentoring (21.0%), patient care (12.0%) or as a student (19.0%). Among respondents, overall self-reported TD knowledge increased from 38.1% to 92.9%, p< 0.001. Their reported extent TD should be developed in NC increased from 78.6% to 95.2%, p = 0.07; the extent hygienists should have a role in TD services increased from 83.3% to 88.1%, p = 0.73. The most frequently mentioned challenge was state practice acts requiring direct supervision of dental hygienists, limiting their TD use in community settings, which increased in the pre- to post-surveys from 33.3% to 59.5% respectively, p = 0.01. Conclusion. Among attendees at the statewide TD Summit, self-reported knowledge was high and attitudes favorable for moving forward with TD in NC. However, state dental practice act barriers restricting dental hygienist participation in TD was the first challenge respondents thought needed to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]