Table 2 Characteristics of the included studies

Sfikas. 1997 [29]

USA

Not explicit

To review legal and regulatory implications for teledentistry

A variety of legal issues in teledentistry need to be addressed before it is fully implemented.

Golder et al., 2000 [30]

USA

Not explicit

To examine teledentistry and some of its current legal issues.

Numerous issues require resolution before telemedicine and teledentistry will truly realize their enormous potential to increase access to health care while decreasing health care costs.

McDonald et al., 2007 [23]

Canada

Digital radiology

To discuss the legal impact in oral maxillofacial radiology on dental practice and dental care

Digital health means that dentistry will be held to the accepted standards of the practice of medicine. Careful inquiry into legal issues should be made before the purchase of radiological equipment.

Jampani et al., 2011 [20]

India

Not explicit

To reviews the ethical and legal issues related to the practice of teledentistry and the future of this alternative and innovative method of delivering dental care

A number of issues need to be addressed before teledentistry can reach its potential. Further studies will be required to validate the various aspects of teledental applications

Cartes et al., 2012 [24]

Chile

Not explicit

To review concepts, history, fields of application, legal considerations, and document experiences around the world, as well as to propose some applications and future projections of teledentistry.

Overall, teledentistry was found a positive, overcoming initial clinical and legal questionings.

Peltier et al., 2013 [31]

USA

Not explicit

To review ethical and legal implications of the use of websites, Facebook, review sites, email and other digital innovations in dental practice.

Recent developments in electronic and social media offer exciting possibilities for the enhancement of dental practice, both for patients and practitioners. But there are very real challenges involved, and they pose credible threats to the profession.

Iyer et al., 2013 [21]

India

Not explicit

To review why a dentist should be aware of his/her rights, duties and how the medico-legal claims can be avoided.

Dental practitioners should take proper measures to prevent medicolegal issues in general, but in particular when using digital oral health.

Simon et al., 2016 [32]

USA

Digital radiology

Implementation guidelines and regulatory considerations on the use of teledentistry for oral and maxillofacial radiologists

Portability of diagnostic images may make it more difficult to enforce geographic practice boundaries. A national licensure system would be easier to enforce while maintaining high levels of patient safety.

Sykes et al., 2017 [26]

South Africa

Not explicit

To describe the many ethical, legal and professional challenges of using social media in dentistry

Social media can be a powerful and effective tool to improve the quality of health care provision, however, when used thoughtlessly, unethically or illegally it may have negative ramifications for the practitioner as well as the profession.

Bhargava et al., 2019 [19]

India

Not explicit

To review ethics and legal aspects of teledentistry

Teledentistry is a relatively new and exciting field with endless potential. clinical guidelines and standards should be established for the practice of teledentistry.

Latin-American Association of Paediatric Dentistry 2020 [27]

Latin America

Paediatric dentistry

To provide guidelines for the conduct of virtual paediatric dentistry consultations

Iorgulescu et al., 2020 [1]

Romania

Prosthodontics, digital radiology, orthodontic, maxillo-facial surgery

Ethics and medico legal challenges are insufficiently addressed.

To assess the medico-legal impact of digital health technologies on oral health professionals and patients.

Practitioners should be aware of the ethics and medico legal challenges involved in the use of digital technology in their practices.

Morey et al., 2021 [22]

India

Prosthodontics, digital radiology

To evaluate the medico legal aspects of Teledentistry in everyday practice

Need for further development to be fully implemented

Park et al., 2021 [28]

USA

Orthodontics

To discuss the various types of teledentistry systems for orthodontic practices, implementation guidelines, and important regulation.

Informed consent forms should include teledentistry. Malpractice insurance should also cover for cyber liability insurance increases with teledentistry

Singhal et al., 2021 [12]

Canada

Not explicit

To conduct an environmental scan of all pertinent literature to understand how the government and other organizations have promoted teledentistry and virtual health care since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although there may be a need for more studies, the observed strengths and upcoming opportunities indicate that teledentistry may fill a major gap in oral health care delivery.

Wolf et al., 2022 [13]

Europe and USA

Not explicit

This review deals with the presentation of the fields of activity of telemedicine in hospitals and in the dental field, with special attention to opportunities and risks.

Access, and delivery of telemedicine applications in dentistry and medicine should be expanded and improved to provide access to all population groups.

Fahim et al., 2022 [25]

Pakistan

Not explicit

Challenges and solutions for teledentistry in Pakistan

Government should encourage teledentistry and reduce barriers to implement teledentistry. Stakeholders should be included in the development of guidelines and regulations.