Possibilities and challenges in digital personal identification using teledentistry based on integration of telecommunication and dental information: a narrative review

Abstract

Personal identification using dental evidence is decisive in the case of unidentified bodies because dental features, including decayed, missing and filled teeth, are unique to every individual. This review explored the possibilities and problems associated with personal identification through digital methods by the integration of telecommunications and dentistry, also known as teledentistry. Establishment of a global, objective personal identification method using dental evidence through teledentistry is desirable. However, the review reports that there are various problems that need to be resolved first, in aspects such as changes in dentition over time, technology, individual privacy and ethics. It is suggested that solving such problems and constructing a worldwide dental database for personal identification from dental images, using teledentistry, as part of social services, is a new challenge for researchers in forensic odontology and dentistry.

Evaluating the Impact of Teledentistry on Patient Outcomes, Diagnostic Accuracy, and Satisfaction in a Prospective Observational Analysis

“…This prospective observational analysis seeks to contribute to the burgeoning body of literature by systematically assessing the implications of teledentistry on diverse aspects of dental care, ranging from diagnostic accuracy to long-term treatment outcomes. As technology becomes increasingly ingrained in healthcare delivery, understanding the effectiveness and challenges of teledentistry becomes paramount for dental professionals, policymakers, and patients alike [ 8 ].…”

Teledentistry and Forensic Odontology: Qualitative Study on the Capacity of Implementation

“…Even today, in criminal cases, personal identification is performed by traditional visual comparisons of antemortem dental records, when they can be recovered, and those obtained postmortem [12]. In 2021, we put forward the possibility of using forensic tele-odontology to perform a quality postmortem oral clinical examination [13,14]. Following this first article, it seemed essential to analyze the capacity of implementation of this type of practice in a forensic medicine department.…”