Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

ISSN: 1858-5051

High-impact research on the latest developments in medicine and healthcare across MENA and Africa

Teledentistry in the Time of Conflict in Sudan

Published date: Sep 30 2024

Journal Title: Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

Issue title: Sudan JMS: Volume 19 (2024), Issue No. 3

Pages: 401–407

DOI: 10.18502/sjms.v19i3.13975

Authors:

Reem Esam Siddigstriving91@gmail.comSudanese Medical Research Association (SMRA), Khartoum, Sudan

Afaf Mohammed Hammad 3faf.m.7ammad@gmail.comMinistry of Health, Khartoum State, Sudan.

Elhadi Moheildin Awooda sowaraldahb@gmail.comRestorative Dentistry Department, Napata College, Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract:

Background: The War in Sudan between the Sudanese armed forces and rapid support forces has left undeniable impacts on the healthcare system which is already compromised by decades of neglect. Hospitals were bombed or occupied by conflict parties. Healthcare providers were killed or assaulted, citizens were forced to displace, and access to healthcare was impaired in many cities. Teledentistry is a modern and promising way to provide dental consultations. It is an easy, safe, and affordable solution for both patients and dental personnel in times like war. This short communication aims to urge the need to implement teledentistry to facilitate access to dental services during the current conflict in Sudan.
Methods: This article discusses teledentistry, which according to the American Teledentistry Association (ADA) is the use of electronic information, imaging, and communication technologies, such as audio, video, and data communications for oral care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and education. The healthcare system in Sudan is currently facing many challenges such as a lack of healthcare providers, economic crisis, inability to access dental health centers, and political instability. The application of teledentistry will facilitate access to oral healthcare and provide optimum solutions during the current conflict in Sudan.
Conclusion: Implementation of teledentistry during military conflicts is a golden solution for both patients and dental care providers as it is a time-saving, cost-effective, safe, and quick way to access oral healthcare services.

References:

[1] The Guardian. (n.d.). Medics in Sudan warn of crisis as health system near collapse. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/01/ medics-in-sudan-warn-of-crisis-as-health-systemnear- collapse

[2] Taha, A. E. (2023, September 5). The state of health and health services in Sudan as a result of the war. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 15(1), 4260. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.4260

[3] Schlein, L. (2023, July 15). UN: Sudan health care near collapse due to conflict. VOA.https://www.voanews.com/a/un-sudan-healthcare- near-collapse-due-to-conflict-/7182156.html

[4] Estai, M., Kanagasingam, Y., Tennant, M., & Bunt, S. (2018). A systematic review of the research evidence for the benefits of teledentistry. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 24(3), 147–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X16689433

[5] American Teledentistry Association. Facts about teledentistry 2021. https://www. americanteledentistry.org/facts-aboutteledentistry/

[6] FDI World Dental Federation. (n.d.). Evidence-based use of teledentistry in oral health services: Fact sheet 2021. https://fdiworlddental.org/evidencebased- use-teledentistry-oral-health-services

[7] Deshpande, S., Patil, D., Dhokar, A., Bhanushali, P., & Katge, F. (2021). Teledentistry: A boon amidst COVID-19 lockdown – A narrative review. International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, 2021, 8859746. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8859746

[8] Mihailovic, B., Miladinovic, M., & Vujicic, B. (2011). Telemedicine in dentistry (teledentistry). In G. Graschew & T. A. Roelofs (Eds.), Advances in telemedicine: Applications in various medical disciplines and geographical areas 2011 (pp. 215–230). InTech.

[9] Clark GT. (2000). Teledentistry: What is it now, and what will it be tomorrow? Journal of the California Dental Association, 28, 121–127.

[10] American Dental Association. (2020). ADA policy on teledentistry 2020 (updated). https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/adapositionspolicies- and-statements/statement-onteledentistry

[11] Maret, D., Peters, O. A., Vaysse, F., & Vigarios, E. (2020). Integration of telemedicine into the public health response to COVID-19 must include dentists. International Endodontic Journal, 53(6), 880–881. https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.13312

[12] Torres-Pereira, C., Possebon, R. S., Sim oes, A., Bortoluzzi, M. C., Le ao, J. C., Giovanini, A. F., & Piazetta, C. M. (2008). Email for distance diagnosis of oral diseases: A preliminary study of teledentistry. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 14, 435–438. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2008.080510

[13] Aziz, S. R., & Ziccardi, V. B. (2009). Telemedicine using smartphones for oral and maxillofacial surgery consultation, communication, and treatment planning. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 67, 2505–2509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2009.03.015

[14] Favero, L., Pavan, L., & Arreghini, A. (2009). Communication through telemedicine: Home teleassistance in orthodontics. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 10, 163–167.

[15] Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D. T., Bell, C. H., & Billings, R. J. (2008). Prevalence of dental caries in Early Head Start children as diagnosed using teledentistry. Pediatric Dentistry, 30, 329–333.

[16] Brüllmann, D., Schmidtmann, I., Warzecha, K., & d’Hoedt, B. (2011). Recognition of root canal orifices at a distance - A preliminary study of teledentistry. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 17, 154–157. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2010.100507

[17] Zivkovic, D., Tosic, G., Mihailovic, B., Miladinovic, M., & Vujicic, B. (2010). Diagnosis of periapical lesions of the front teeth using the internet. PONS Medical Journal, 7, 138–143.

[18] Ignatius, E., Perälä, S., & Mäkelä, K. (2010). Use of videoconferencing for consultation in dental prosthetics and oral rehabilitation. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 16, 467–470. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2010.100303

[19] Penmetsa, G. S., Patnaik, B. B., Ramesh, M. V., Ramesh, K. S. V., Vinnakota, K., & Vundavalli, S. (2023). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of teledentistry in periodontal diagnosis: Is it the required upgrade to conventional periodontics? Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 27(2), 195–200. https://doi.org/10.4103/jisp.jisp_650_21

[20] Jilani, W. (2021, Debruary 15). A guide to teledentistry in the time of COVID-19.https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/guide-teledentistrytime- covid-19-waqas-jilani/

[21] Binaisse, P., Dehours, E., Bodéré, C., Chevalier, V., & Le Fur Bonnabesse, A. (2020). Dental emergencies at sea: A study in the French maritime TeleMedical Assistance Service. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 26(5), 285–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X18818736

[22] Elhadi, Y. A. M., Siddig, R. E., & Awooda, E. M. (2022, February 8). Oral health in Sudan: The current situation during COVID-19 pandemic. The Pan African Medical Journal, 41, 111. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.111.32693

[23] Birnbach, J. M. (2000). The future of teledentistry. Journal of the California Dental Association, 28, 141–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/19424396.2000.12223061

[24] Mackintosh, E. Salih N. Noor Haq S. (2023, April 24). Foreign powers rescue nationals while Sudanese must fend for themselves. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/23/europe/franceevacuates- citizens-sudan-hnk-intl/index.html

[25] Vaccines Work. (2023, May 2). Sudan conflict leaves health system in ‘total collapse’. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/sudan-conflictleaves- health-system-total-collapse. updated 2 May 2023 accessed 30 July 2023.

[26] IOM. (2023, July 6). Nearly 3 million displaced by conflict in Sudan. reliefweb. https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/nearly-3-milliondisplaced- conflict-sudan.

[27] Insecurity Insight. (2023). Attacks on healthcare in Sudan. https://insecurityinsight.org/wp-content/ uploads/2023/09/10.-23-August-05-September- 2023-Attacks-on-Health-Care-in-Sudan.pdf

[28] Singh, V., Bhaskar, D.J., Agali, C., Kishore, M., & Kadtane, S.S. (2014). Teledentistry: It’s all about access to care. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID: 81877551

Download
HTML
Cite
Share
statistics

2 Abstract Views

23 PDF Downloads