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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 17
| Issue : 4 | Page : 904-910 |
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Use of e-media among pediatric dental professionals and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry during COVID-19
Maya Uddhavrao Shinde, Shweta M Chaudhary, Krishna V Patil, Alok Ramesh Patel, Preetam P Shah, Smita S Patil
Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Submission | 12-Jun-2022 |
| Date of Acceptance | 14-Jun-2022 |
| Date of Web Publication | 10-Feb-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Maya Uddhavrao Shinde
Flat No. 1, Priyadarshini Vihar, Near Shani Maruti Temple, Trimurti Chowk, Katraj, Pune - 411 046, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jdmimsu.jdmimsu_249_22
Background: Health-care providers, particularly pediatric dentists, highly depend on electronic media. This survey attempts to assess how they have taken to e-media to keep themselves abreast of the current situation and use it efficiently. Objectives: To determine attitudes, awareness, and practices of e-media usage among pediatric dental professionals and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry during the COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 958 pediatric dental practitioners and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry from throughout India participated in a descriptive cross-sectional survey. An investigator-designed questionnaire comprising 23 close-ended questions related to the usage and various aspects of e-media before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Younger generations of pediatric dentistry are more active in the use of e-media. Dentists between the ages of 30 and 50 years are more likely to utilize social media in their profession than dentists above the age of 50 years. For academic purposes and patient communication, e-media was the most popular choice. Conclusion: The Indian pediatric dentistry profession has grown significantly with the use of e-media.
Keywords: COVID-19, E-media, pediatric dental professionals, postgraduate student, social media
How to cite this article:
Shinde MU, Chaudhary SM, Patil KV, Patel AR, Shah PP, Patil SS. Use of e-media among pediatric dental professionals and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry during COVID-19. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ 2022;17:904-10 |
How to cite this URL:
Shinde MU, Chaudhary SM, Patil KV, Patel AR, Shah PP, Patil SS. Use of e-media among pediatric dental professionals and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry during COVID-19. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ [serial online] 2022 [cited 2023 Apr 1];17:904-10. Available from: http://www.journaldmims.com/text.asp?2022/17/4/904/369490 |
| Introduction | |  |
''We live in the world where digital presence often comes before physical presence.''
E-media is being used by pediatric dental professionals and postgraduate students for several purposes, such as professional networking, dissemination of evidence, promotion of practices, gathering information using polls, patient care discussion, professional education, attracting vendors promoting public health, and patient education.
The awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 prevention and control need to be further enhanced using e-media.
E-media is a term that describes how individuals communicate in virtual communities and networks by creating, exchanging, and sharing ideas and information.[1]
Social networking sites (such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat), media sharing sites (YouTube), professional networking sites (LinkedIn), information aggregation sites (Wikipedia), content creation sites (blogs), and virtual reality and gaming sites are all examples of e-media sites.[2]
E-media is increasingly being relied upon by healthcare professionals, including pediatric dentists, to make decisions in their practices specifically during pandemic COVID 19 to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.
Social media represent a major aspect of digital networking. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate awareness and attitude toward social media usage in pediatric dental faculties and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry during COVID-19.
This survey attempted to assess how they have taken to e-media to keep themselves abreast of the current situation and use it efficiently for academic, teleconsultation, spreading awareness, and marketing purposes.
| Materials and Methods | | |
This was a cross-sectional survey performed via convenience sampling (researchers themselves contacted pediatric dental professionals and postgraduate students to take part in this survey) and snowball sampling.
The study required the creation of a self-structured and validated questionnaire developed in English for the research. The questionnaire consisted of 23 close-ended questions and contained 4 sections: the “General part” consisted of the individuals' sociodemographic and professional information in Section I; Section II consisted of questions on participants' knowledge of social media usage during COVID-19; Section III consisted of questions regarding attitudes about the use of social media. and Section IV comprised questions regarding practices of social media usage by pediatric professionals and postgraduates in pediatric dentistry during COVID-19.
Pediatric dentists and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry across India who were interested in taking part were included in this survey. Incomplete questionnaires and dentist's not using social media were excluded from the study.
The questionnaire was originally pilot tested by pediatric dental professionals to determine face validity, and they were asked whether they had any difficulties comprehending any of the questions. The questionnaire was considered acceptable and simple to understand by all subjects, and only minor modifications were done at this phase.
The questionnaire was then subjected to test-retest reliability with a time gap of one week. The Questionnaire in google form was mailed to 20 pediatric dental professionals, and postgraduate students, and responses were noted. After 7 days, again, the questionnaire was mailed for retesting the same.
Cohen's Kappa statistics were used to evaluate the test–retest reliability. Cohen's κ test was performed to see whether two responses gathered at two distinct times were in agreement. The value of Kappa obtained was 0.702, which shows good or substantial agreement.
It was found that Cronbach's alpha, a measure of internal consistency, was 0.746, which shows acceptable internal consistency. The questionnaire was sent by E-mail and WhatsApp (a social networking app) to the prospective respondents (n = 911) instead of being given out in person to prevent the virus from spreading. A consent form, a declaration of confidentiality, and anonymity were included on the cover page of the questionnaire.
Statistical analysis
Raosoft software was utilized to estimate the sample size: http://www.raosoft.com/samplesize.html
The total strength of pediatric dentists in India was 6215 (population size).[3] With a 95% confidence level and a sample size of 6215 population, the error margin was set at 3%, and the sample size was determined to be 911.
Statistical software was used to analyze the data collected from pediatric dentistry practitioners and postgraduate students. Descriptive statistics, such as the frequency distribution and percentages, were computed for the categorical variables.
Ethical clearance
Ethical approval for this study (Ethical Committee EC/NEW/INST/2019/329) was provided by the Ethical Committee NAC Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Dental College and Hospital, Pune, on 29 September 2020.
| Results | | |
For the present study, there were a total of 958 respondents (n). Among them, 87 were pediatric dental faculty, 636 were pediatric dental postgraduate students, and 235 were private pediatric dental practitioners [Figure 1].
Compared to men (243), the number of female participants (715) had a higher response rate [Figure 2].
The most common age group to participate in the poll was under 30 years of age (722), whereas 229 were between 30-50 years of age, and only 1 was above 50 years of age who were using e-media for academic purposes and patient communication.
Five hundred and thirty-six participants under the age of 30 years and 189 respondents between the ages of 30 and 50 years were found to utilize e-media in the pediatric dentistry field often, and no one above 50 years of age used e-media frequently.
In this survey, 41.8% of participants used e-media for marketing purposes; 38.3% were below 30 and 52.8% were between 30 and 50 years of age, and no one was above 50 years of age. Among all participants, 44.8% were faculty, 34.1% were PG, and 61.3% were private pediatric dental practitioners.
According to this survey, only 15% of all participants had their own established online personal practice forums/websites, out of which 45.14% were below 30, 54.86 % were between 30 and 50 years of age, and no one above 50 years of age. Out of 15% of participants, 34% were private practitioners 6.6% were postgraduate students and 25.3% were faculty who had their online personal practice forum/ website. [Figure 3] and [Figure 9]. | Figure 3: Percentage of participants having online personal practice forums/websites
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 | Figure 9: Percentage of participants (according to education) having online personal practice forums/websites
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A total of 58% of participants were practicing telescreening and teleconsulting during COVID-19; among them, 65.5% were faculty, 50.8% were postgraduate, and 74.9% were private pediatric dental practitioners.
Among participants, only 6.9% practiced teleconsultation before pandemic COVID-19; 12.6% of participants were faculty, 6.6% were postgraduate students, and 5.5% were private pediatric dental practitioners.
69.7% of practitioners categorized the patients requiring emergency treatment or not by using e-media during COVID 19, 72.4% were faculty in pediatric dentistry, 67.1% were postgraduates, and 75.7% were private practitioners.
A total of 73.2% of participants used social media to educate patients about protocols to follow before arrival at a dental clinic during COVID-19; among them, 73.6% were faculty, 70.8% were postgraduate students, and 79.6% were private practitioners [Figure 4]. | Figure 4: Percentage of participants using social media to educate patients about the protocols to follow before arrival at the dental clinic during COVID-19
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Total pediatric dental professionals who were recommending the use of social media to other dentists were 82.0%; among them, 82.1% were below 30, 82.1% were between 30 and 50 years of age, and no one was above 50 years of age.
In the present survey, it was found that 27.6% of practitioners were spending more than 2 h on social media per day; among them, 26.4% were faculty, 32.2% were postgraduate students, and 15.3% were private practitioners. 33.6% of practitioners were spending 1–2 h a day; 29.9% were faculty, 34.3% were postgraduate students, and 33.2% were private practitioners. 38.8% of practitioners spent 30–60 min per day; 43.7% were faculty, 33.5% were postgraduate students, and 51.5% were private practitioners [Figure 5] and [Figure 11]. | Figure 5: Percentage of participants spending their time on social media per day
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 | Figure 11: Percentage of participants (according to education) spending their time on social media per day
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This survey shows that 33.4% of participants recommended the Diksha app/any social media to train their dental assistants for safety measures during COVID-19 in dental operatory; 41.4% were faculty, 32.9% were postgraduate students, and 31.9% were private pediatric dental practitioners.
This survey shows that 32.7% of respondents were aware that DCI (Dental Council of India) had banned teleconsultation in India in the pre-COVID era, including 50.6% of faculty, 25.6% of PG, and 45.1% of Private pediatric dental practitioners 67.3% were not aware.
49.6% of participants were aware of DCI (Dental Council of India) regulation allowing teleconsultation/teledentistry during COVID 19; 64.4% were faculty, 45.8% were PG students, and 54.5% were Private practitioners. Out of these 475 (49.6%) participants, 360 were below 30, 114 were between 30 and 50 years of age, and only one was above 50 [Figure 6] and [Figure 12]. | Figure 6: Percentage of participants who are aware of DCI regulations for practicing teleconsultation during COVID-19. DCI: Dental Council of India
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 | Figure 12: Percentage of participants (according to education) who are aware of DCI regulations for practicing teleconsultation during COVID-19. DCI: Dental Council of India
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This survey found that 65.50% of faculties, 50.80% of postgraduate students, and 74.90 were already practicing telescreening and teleconsulting during COVID-19 [Figure 10]. | Figure 10: Percentage of participants (according to education) practising telescreening and teleconsulting during COVID-19
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According to 56.3% of faculty members, 73% of PG students, and 71.1% of private practitioners believed that the use of social media helps to enhance the quality of care provided to patients.
However, just 18.5% of those polled said that they had complete faith in the credibility of social media content, whereas 81.5% of those polled did not completely trust the accuracy of social media posts. Out of the 18.5% (177), 7.90 % of faculties, 74.02% of PG, and 18.08% of private pediatric dental practitioners had faith in social media content.
84.7% of participants, including 78.2% of faculties, 85.5% of PG students, and 84.7% of private pediatric dental practitioners, thought that social media help improve their knowledge about COVID-19 clinical application; among them, 84.5% were below 30 years of age, 85.2% between 30 and 50, and only one above 50.
Among all the participants 63.7% of participants, including 56.3% of faculties, 67.3% of PGs, and 56.6%, were private practitioners who thought that social media sites affect decision-making/diagnosis for their treatment plan [Figure 7] and [Figure 13]. | Figure 7: Percentage of participants who thought social media sites affect their decision making/diagnosis for their treatment plan
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 | Figure 13: Percentage of participants (according to education) who thought social media sites affect their decision making/diagnosis for their treatment plan
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75.1% of participants, including 69.0% of faculties, 78.0% of postgraduate students, and 69.4% of private practitioners, thought that social media affect the relationship with their patient who has sought information from these sites.
Among this survey, 9.3% of participants thought that social media is mainly useful for a pediatric dentist for education purposes, 12.2% of participants thought that it is useful for exchanging opinions/view regarding cases with colleagues, 3% thought that it is useful for marketing and advertising, and 75.5% of participants thought that it is useful for all of the above options; among them, 74.9% were below 30 years of age and 77.7% were between 30 and 50 years of age.
84.7% (811) of participants thought that dental practice should have a website or online presence, including 0.9% of faculties, 81.3% of postgraduate students, and 94.0% of private pediatric dental practitioners.
Among all participants 12.7% grade social media as excellent, 22.1% as fair, 63.6% as good whereas 1.6% grade social media as not at all effective. Out of this 12.7% (122) grade social media as excellent, 11.5% (10) were faculty, 13.1 % (83) were postgraduate students and 12.3 (29) were private practitioners.
71.4% of participants, including 60 faculties, 5% postgraduate students, and 71.9% private pediatric dental practitioners, preferred interaction with people by using social media over conventional methods during COVID 19 among which 70.7% were below 30, 73.8% were between 30 to 50 years of age. The total percentage of responses to the questions by participants is given in [Figure 14].
| Discussion | | |
E-media is an integral aspect of today's era, and health care is no exception.
Pediatric dentists are using e-media for a myriad of reasons.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) now using different social networking sites, like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, to promote their work and disseminate evidence-based recommendations.[4]
This study aimed to determine how pediatric dental professionals, postgraduates, and private practitioners use electronic media apps.
The study carried out by Henry and Pieren in 2014 showed the value of social media in education in many ways.[5] Similarly, in the current survey, 9.3% of participants thought that e-media is mainly useful for a pediatric dentist for education purposes, 12.2% of participants thought that it is useful for exchanging opinions/views regarding cases with a colleague, 3.0% thought that it is useful for marketing and advertising, 75.5% of participants thought that it is useful for all of the above options; among them, 74.9% below 30 and 77.7% between 30 and 50 years of age.
According to Henry RK et al. in 2012, dentists under 45 were more likely to use social media in practice than dentists over 45.[6] Similar results were seen in the current survey; 76% were below 30, 23.9 % were between 30-50 years of age, and only 1 was above 50 years of age who used social media for academic purposes and patient communication. Among them, 79.30% of faculties, 86.30% of postgraduate students, and 38.70% of private practitioners used social media for academic purposes [Figure 8]. | Figure 8: Percentage of participants using social media for academic purposes and patient communication
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Henry RK et al 2012 found that the most common reasons for using social media were marketing (91%), communicating with existing or prospective patients (73%), and having a better online presence (73%).[6] In the present survey, the most common reasons for using e-media were academic purposes (74%), Patient Communication (26%).
The most common stated frequency of usage was weekly, according to a study done by Arnett et al. in five US. dental schools in 2013 (i.e., 20.4%, n = 221). However, 37% of participants said they do not use any social media.[7] The survey conducted by Javed Waqas found that 88.3% of participants spent between 1 and 5 h a week on social media.[8]
The present survey shows that 27.6% of practitioners spent more than 2 h on these social networking sites per day; 26.4% were faculty, 32.2% were PG, and 15.3% were private practitioners.
33.6% of practitioners were spending 1–2 h of a day; 29.9% were faculty, 34.3% were PG, and 33.2% were private practitioners. 38.8% of practitioners spent 30–60 min per day; 43.7% were faculty, 33.5% were PG, and 51.5% were private practitioners [Figure 5] and [Figure 11].
According to the survey conducted by Makkar et al. in Davangiri, 6.8% have their own established online personal practice forums/websites.[9] However, the current study shows that 15% have their own established online personal practice forums/websites [Figure 3] and [Figure 9]. The difference could be due to the great information on social media in the last couple of years.
On the other hand, just 10.2% of participants in a study by Makkar et al. said they had partial faith in information they obtained via electronic media.[9] However, just 18.5% of those polled said they had complete faith in the credibility of social media content, including 16.1% faculties, 20.6% PG, and 13.6% private pediatric dental practitioner, whereas 81.5% of those polled did not completely trust the accuracy of social media posts.
Makkar et al. also found that 21.6% of participants thought that e-media sites affect decision-making/diagnosis for their treatment plan.[9] In contrast to this, 63.7% of participants, including 56.3% of faculties, 67.3% of PGs, and 56.6% of private practitioners, thought that social media sites affect decision-making/diagnosis for their treatment plan. Although social media usage has increased for pediatric dentistry, the participants do not generally fully trust its reliability [Figure 7] and [Figure 13].
Makkar et al. also found that 33% of participants thought that e-media affects the relationship with their patient who has sought information from these sites.[9] Whereas, 75.1% of participants, including 69% of faculties, 78% PGs, and 69.4% private practitioners, thought that social media affect the relationship with their patient who has sought information from these sites.
According to Nilesh Parmar's research, 83% of dentists believe that social media marketing is more effective in comparison to standard forms of advertising.[10] In this survey, 41.8% of participants used e-media for marketing purposes; 38.3% were below 30, 52.8% were between 30 and 50 years of age, and no one was above 50. Among all participants, 44.8% were faculty, 34.1% were PG, and 61.3% were private pediatric dental practitioners.
Al Awdah et al. found that 59.8% of people prefer to visit the dentist after watching their dental work on e-media.[11] In the present survey, 84.7% of participants thought that dental practice should have a website or online presence, including 83.9% of faculties, 81.3% of PGs, and 94.0% of private pediatric dental practitioners. According to this survey, only 15% of all participants have their own established online personal practice forums/websites, out of which 8.9% were below 30, 34.5% were between 30 and 50 years of age, and no one above 50 years of age [Figure 4].
Al Awdah et al. surveyed in 2018 and reported that 91% of the participants believe that dentists should contact patients using social media instead of traditional media.[11] According to the present survey, 71.4% of participants, including 69% of faculties, 71.5% of PGs, and 71.9% of private practitioners preferred interaction with people by using social media over conventional methods during COVID 19, among which 70.7% were below 30 years of age, 73.8% were between 30-50 years of age.
| Conclusion | | |
The Indian pediatric dentistry profession has grown significantly with the use of e-media.
Clinical significance
This is a novel work to assess the usage of e-media in pediatric dentistry before and during this pandemic (COVID-19). We have shown that the extent to which electronic media is employed in Indian pediatric dentistry varies based on different factors. We may assume that electronic media usage in pediatric dentistry will continue to expand in the future.
Although the survey provides ample indications that it can never completely replace academic learning, teaching, or clinical diagnosis, it can, at best, be a means of knowledge dissemination best suited to times like the current pandemic condition.
At best, it can be a means of knowledge dissemination best suited to times like the current pandemic condition.
Acknowledgment
I would like to thank the Faculty and staff of Bharati Dental College and Hospital, Pune
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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