Teledentistry: students’ intention to adopt based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology construct

Abstract

Background: Teledentistry facilitates treatment planning, patient monitoring and education in dentistry by enhancing the access to and outcomes in oral health. This study aimed to assess the undergraduate students' use and acceptance of teledentistry services using a tool based on the UTAUT model. Methods: The implementation of teledentistry into the curriculum of 241 undergraduate students receiving training for teleconsultation was evaluated. The students' behavioral intention to adopt teledentistry was measured with questions based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) constructs, such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence facilitating conditions, and trust. Results: A total of 105 students completed the UTAUT model questionnaire. The valid hypotheses considered the following constructs: performance expectancy (H1), social influence (H3) and trust (H5) showed positive impacts, whereas effort expectancy (H2) had a non-significant negative influence and facilitating conditions (H4) had no significance. Therefore, performance expectancy, social influence and trust had an impact on the students' behavioral intention to use teledentistry. Discussion: The constructs performance expectancy, social influence and trust impacted the behavioral intention of undergraduate students in using teledentistry, meaning that these factors must be considered during the implementation of this telehealth service.