425. Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oporto validate dental diagnosis based on photos

A study of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oporto (FMUP) concluded that remote diagnosis of dental problems in children, based on photographs, is a valuable resource in the selection of who should be referred to a dentist.

The investigation has gone through two stages of evaluation. The analysis, by four dentists, three photographs of the teeth (front view, top and bottom) of 66 children aged between 4 and 6 years - each dentist completed a questionnaire based on compliance with the photos, available on the system MedQuest Developed by FMUP, indicating the oral problems screened and whether the child should or should not visit the dentist. That said, the child was assessed in a traditional dental appointment. Comparing the results of two types of evaluation, remote diagnostics (teledentistry) demonstrated a sensitivity between 94 and 100 percent and a specificity between 52 and 100 percent.

In Portugal, the smaller ones show a high prevalence of cavities in just six years, and only after this age begin their dental visits. The sooner treatment is given, earlier oral health is ensured.

Teachers themselves in school and taking photographs using the available technologies, increase the viability of oral health campaigns in schools, regionally and nationally. In the long term can think of a dental home, according to Rui Amável (Centre for Research in Information Systems and Technologies in Health-CESIMED, FMUP) and Ricardo Cruz-Correia (Service of Biostatistics and Medical Information FMUP), the study authors.

The combination of telecommunications and dentistry - teledentistry - allowed for the exchange of clinical information and images for the purpose of facilitating access to pediatric primary care. Despite this model being used successfully in many medical specialties, is not as widely accepted and used in dentistry. But the authors said the development of remote diagnostics will only benefit dental care, improve diagnosis and dental services.

Telediagnosis through digital photographic technology, presented as identifying potential dental problems and is a resource to explore.

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto