Priority 10 from the Oral and Dental Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY: What role do digital technologies play in the provision of dental care? (JLA PSP Priority 10)
Overall ranking 10
JLA question ID 0079/10
Explanatory note

Not available for this PSP

Evidence

The definition of digital technologies is extremely wide so this search focused on computer technologies.

Using digital technologies to improve health behaviours
There is no evidence on dental care but there are two systematic reviews on using texting and mobile phone apps to improve health behaviours. The quality of evidence on using mobile phone apps and messaging intervention to improve health behaviours is of low to moderate. There are significant information gaps.

Using digital technologies to assist treatments
There is one systematic review on using computer technology application in surgical implant dentistry. The quality of evidence varies. There is no evidence to suggest that computer-assisted surgery is better than conventional procedures in safety, outcomes, morbidity and efficiency.

For full details of the evidence checked, please see the spreadsheet of data held on the JLA website.

Health Research Classification System category Oral and gastrointestinal
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples Digital technologies covered all aspects of dental services, encompassing mobile apps, specialist equipment such as intra oral cameras, referral systems, digital notes.
Submitted by 3 x health professionals
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0079
PSP name Oral and Dental Health
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP 38 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 12 December 2018