Telematic Tactics: Evolving Trends in Internet of Things in Paediatric Dentistry

Telematics, which refers to the integrated use of telecommunication and informatics, has emerged as a transformative innovation in healthcare delivery. In pediatric dentistry, the integration of telematics with the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized conventional oral healthcare by enabling smart, preventive, and patient-centred management systems. The Internet of Things refers to a network of interconnected physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and communication technologies that enable the exchange of data over the internet. In dentistry, this concept has evolved into the Internet of Dental Things (IoDT), an advanced cloud-based digital ecosystem integrating smart dental devices, biosensors, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and teledentistry. IoDT allows continuous monitoring of oral conditions through intraoral sensors, smart toothbrushes, mouthguard-based biosensors, and mobile applications. The collected data are analyzed using AI-driven systems to facilitate early diagnosis, risk assessment, personalized preventive strategies, and remote patient monitoring. Emerging innovations such as nano-biosensors, digital oral twins, microbiome analytics, blockchain-based security systems, and precision pediatric dentistry further expand the scope of IoDT. These technologies are particularly beneficial for children, people with physical disabilities, and chronically ill patients by improving accessibility, enhancing preventive care, and reducing healthcare costs. Despite promising advancements, challenges, including cybersecurity concerns, ethical issues, data privacy, high implementation costs, and lack of standardization remain barriers to widespread adoption.