Halo Maya! : Prototype of a Simple Teledentistry System for Accessible Oral Health Information and Care

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in the way people receive medical care, including dental care. Indonesia is one of the countries that has been hit hard by the pandemic, and its dental care facilities have been affected. As a result, teledentistry has emerged as a crucial tool for providing dental care during the pandemic where access to proper dental care has been a challenge.

Teledentistry is the use of technology to provide dental care remotely. It involves the use of video conferencing, digital imaging, and other technologies to allow dental professionals to diagnose and treat patients without the need for physical contact. Teledentistry has been around for some time, but its importance has become more evident during the pandemic.

Teledentistry, which involves the use of technology to provide dental care remotely, has become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach allows dental professionals to provide care without the need for physical contact, which is essential in reducing the risk of transmission of the virus. Teledentistry also provides an opportunity for dental professionals to diagnose and treat.

In response to this, a new teledentistry system called "Halo Maya!" emerged to address the need for dental consultation and education during the pandemic. Halo Maya! is a teledentistry system that provides an easy-to-use platform for people to ask questions and consult on any dental issues they may have. It is delivered through WhatsApp, which is a widely used messaging app in many countries, making it accessible to a large number of people. The system uses automation to reduce the need for dentists to stand by over the phone, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution.

The system is designed to be user-friendly and requires minimal effort on the part of the user. Patients simply need to send a message to the Halo Maya! WhatsApp number and the automated system will guide them through a series of questions to gather information about their dental issue. The system then provides the patient with relevant information and advice, which is based on the data provided by the patient.

Halo Maya! is not only a consultation system, but it also serves as an educational tool for patients to learn about oral health and preventive measures. The system provides information about oral hygiene practices, common dental problems, and how to prevent them. Patients can also access educational videos and infographics to help them better understand their dental health.

The system is designed to be scalable and can be easily adapted to different languages and cultures. This makes it accessible to people in various regions and helps to bridge the language barrier that can sometimes be a challenge in healthcare services.

One of the key benefits of Halo Maya! is its ability to reduce the burden on traditional dental services. With the pandemic limiting access to dental clinics, teledentistry has emerged as a viable alternative. Halo Maya! enables patients to receive prompt and effective dental advice without the need for an in-person consultation. This, in turn, reduces the pressure on traditional dental services and enables them to focus on more urgent cases.

In conclusion, Halo Maya! is a simple yet effective teledentistry system that addresses the need for dental consultation and education during the pandemic. The system provides patients with easy access to dental advice and educational resources. With its user-friendly platform and automated system, Halo Maya! offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that can be adapted to different languages and cultures, making it accessible to a wider population.

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2. Al-Jewair T, Vohra F. Teledentistry Implementation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2020 Nov-Dec;10(6):725-731. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_394_20. Epub 2020 Dec 31. PMID: 35862174; PMCID: PMC7857886.