Telementoring: Measuring the Readiness for the Dental Care of Children with Special Health Care Needs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose. Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) account for 16% of the US population presenting with unique medical and dental conditions requiring specialized care. Few specialists practice in rural areas reducing access to care. A promising method to improve access is telementoring, a technology-based educational program linking primary care providers in remote areas with specialists. This study identified factors related to the willingness to participate in, and level of readiness for telementoring for the CSHCN among rural Minnesota dentists. Methods. This cross-sectional study included all licensed dentists practicing in rural Minnesota (n=203). The paper-and-pencil survey used branching logic where only those indicating potential willingness to participate in telementoring specific to CSHCN completed all survey items. Analyses included descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact tests. Results. The response rate was 48.2% (94) with 50 (53.2%) not willing to participate in telementoring; therefore, fewer than half of the initial respondents completed the full survey. Dentists ready for telementoring agreed that a need exists to address healthcare problems, had first-hand experience of the negative effects of isolation, and were curious about telementoring. Factors limiting CSHCN treatment were complex medical concerns, patient and time management issues, low reimbursement rates, and unknown cost of telementoring participation. Conclusion. Fewer than half of rural dentists were willing to participate in telementoring specific to CSHCN. Willingness appeared to be limited by factors ancillary to treating CSHCN such as low reimbursement and the unknown cost of telementoring participation.