Factors associated with satisfaction with teledentistry care among patients from a rural and an urban population in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teledentistry emerged as a strategy to deliver dental care, consultation, and education through information and communication technologies. This service encompasses emergency triage, comprehensive consultations, follow-up care, and oral health education and promotion. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the level of satisfaction with teledentistry care among patients from a rural and an urban population in Peru, according to their sociodemographic characteristics. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted including 314 patients who received teledentistry consultations in an urban setting (Metropolitan Lima) and a rural district (Santa Cruz de Cocachacra, Huarochiri, Lima, Peru). A validated 16-item questionnaire was used to assess satisfaction with teledentistry across two dimensions (D1: convenience and D2: communication) and to collect sociodemographic characteristics (age group, sex, marital status, educational level, number of children, area of residence, dedication, vulnerability, and reason for consultation). Pearson’s chi-square test was applied for bivariate analyses, and a Poisson regression model with robust variance was used for the multivariable analysis to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR). A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered. A total of 314 patients were included (mean age 32.3 ± 12.1 years; 69.1% were women); 54.8% lived in rural areas and 45.2% in urban areas. Overall, 26.1%, 52.2%, and 21.7% reported poor, fair, and good satisfaction, respectively, with teledentistry care. According to the adjusted multivariable model, marital status was the only variable significantly associated with poor satisfaction, as single participants had a 44% lower probability of poor satisfaction compared with married or cohabiting participants (APR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.36–0.88; p = 0.013). No statistically significant associations were observed for the remaining covariates; however, the estimate for rural residence was inconclusive and compatible with a potentially meaningful increase in poor satisfaction (APR = 1.50; 95% CI: 0.98–2.31; p = 0.063). Only a minority of patients reported poor satisfaction with teledentistry care. In addition, being single was associated with a lower probability of poor satisfaction compared with being married or cohabiting. No statistically significant associations were observed for age group, sex, education level, number of children, dedication, vulnerability status, or reason for consultation; however, the estimate for rural residence was inconclusive and compatible with a potentially meaningful increase in poor satisfaction.