Applications of teledentistry in a French inmate population: A one-year observational study

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 7;16(4):e0247778. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247778. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Teledentistry oral examination protocol was evaluated for one year at the Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone Correctional Facility. The aim of the study was to simplify the obligatory dental consultation protocol at the entrance visit for new detainees. 1051 detainees were enrolled and 651 of them (58.9%) accepted an oral examination by teledentistry throughout the entire year of 2018. Only 1 inmate did not need treatment and 88.06% of those who have been examined had at least one untreated cavitated carious lesion. Forty-four percent of people who received a teledentistry check-up were referred to a dentist with a dental emergency. The use of teledentistry at the entry visit in a detention facility may facilitate the oral health screening without wasting the dentist's time, and may allow an optimization of the inmate's oral healthcare.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Oral*
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oral Health*
  • Prisoners*
  • Telemedicine*

Grants and funding

The operation of the project was funded by the Ministry of Health (FR) (DGS/SP1/N°D.17.13667) to the Medical department of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone’s prison (University Hospital of Montpellier) and/or Dr Fadi Meroueh (as chief of the medical department). The funder has no role in the data collection, analysis, or the manuscript preparation or submission.