Teledentistry in Trinidad and Tobago: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Dental Professionals

Background: Teledentistry (TD) enables remote delivery of dental care through consultations, triage, and patient education. Although widely adopted internationally, its use in Trinidad and Tobago (T and T) has not been studied, and understanding dental professionals’ (DP) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is essential for effective implementation. Objective: To assess DPs’ KAP of TD in T and T and explore demographic factors associated with these outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and June 2025 using a validated self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach’s α =0.821). All 692 registered DPs in T and T and dental interns at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine were invited. A total of 138 responses were received (20% response rate; margin of error ~ 7.5%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests ( P < 0.05). Results: Respondents were mostly 25–40 years old, held a Doctor of Dental Surgery (77.8%), worked in private practice (81.9%), and had ≤10 years’ experience. While 75% reported familiarity with TD, only 40.4% had used it, mainly for emergency consultations and follow-ups via phone calls and messaging apps. High knowledge scores were observed in 48.5%, with gaps in legal (78.7%), technological (55.9%), and insurance-related (91.2%) areas. Attitudes were generally positive, with most viewing TD as beneficial. Barriers included data privacy concerns, unclear legislation, and inadequate training, while facilitators included clearer regulations, targeted education, and improved infrastructure. Conclusions: DPs in T & T have moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward TD, but usage remains limited. Addressing regulatory, educational, and infrastructural barriers is essential to support broader adoption.