Cost Analysis of Mobile Phone Teledentistry in Dental Treatment Planning in Pediatric Care in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction: Teledentistry services are still of limited usage but are experiencing noticeable growth, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. This study estimates the cost of teledentistry in pediatric dental treatment planning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) compared to face-to-face consultations and describes its impact on stakeholders. Methods: A mixed methodology was employed, combining quantitative analysis via a questionnaire among 97 national children's parents, with qualitative analysis based on open-ended questions with a representative of the National Insurance in the UAE. Results: Out of 100 participants in the study, 97 were included. The residents showed a high geographical distribution among the seven UAE emirates. The time cost of traveling for a dental visit per person was $132 on average, with a variation in the household production loss. From the dental clinic's perspective, the total cost of the application development amounted to $54,455 per year. The acceptance level of Emiratis' guardians toward teledentistry was found to be low, with 54% of the participants considering tele consultation as unreliable and only willing to use it on holidays and emergencies. Conclusion: A significant benefit of teledentistry is saving on transportation time and cost, with a wide disparity among the different emirates, with the highest expense in patients coming from the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. A randomized controlled trial is recommended to validate the findings and assess application performance.