Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to predict the behavioral intent of teledentistry utilization amongst United States adults

Mercedes D VanDeWiele; Angela M Hastings; Michael D Evans; Megan S O'Connell; Priscilla M Flynn

doi:10.1177/1357633X231182405

Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to predict the behavioral intent of teledentistry utilization amongst United States adults

J Telemed Telecare. 2023 Jul 24:1357633X231182405. doi: 10.1177/1357633X231182405. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mercedes D VanDeWiele¹, Angela M Hastings², Michael D Evans³, Megan S O'Connell¹, Priscilla M Flynn¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Dental Hygiene, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
² Division of Community Outreach and Engagement, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
³ Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

PMID: 37487219
DOI: 10.1177/1357633X231182405

Abstract

Introduction: Teledentistry is an innovative health care delivery platform that can potentially improve oral health access and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to predict teledentistry utilization intentions of U.S. adults using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a framework.

Methods: This mixed-method, cross-sectional study surveyed 899 participants from two independent samples in August and September 2021. Convenience samples of Minnesota State Fair attendees and ResearchMatch volunteers completed electronic surveys to identify the behavioral intention (BI) for teledentistry use within the next 6 months. Independent variables were the UTAUT constructs of performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and multiple linear regression adjusting for age, gender and educational level. Qualitative analysis used thematic analysis using UTAUT as a coding framework.

Results: Univariate analysis showed statistical significance between each construct with BI (P < 0.0001). Adjusted multiple linear regression revealed statistical significance between PE and SI with BI (P < 0.0001). Qualitative responses corroborated quantitative results and revealed a lack of teledentistry knowledge.

Conclusion: The majority of participants indicated an intention not to use teledentistry within the next 6 months. The lack of prior experience of telehealth or teledentistry use in addition to lack of knowledge regarding teledentistry may contribute to these results. Future interventions to improve the BI to use teledentistry may benefit from focusing on PE and SI constructs for educational and marketing strategies.

Keywords: Teledentistry; UTAUT; telehealth.