Impact of teleodontology on emergency response for offshore workers at Petrobras

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Teleodontology in offshore units operated by Petrobras, focusing on its impact in reducing medical evacuations due to dental issues among workers. Methods: Dental care records from the Einstein Telemedicine System were analyzed, covering two periods: January to April 2024 and the year 2023 (before teleodontology implementation), and May to August 2024 (after implementation). Cases were categorized into two groups: ST (without teleodontology) and CT (with teleodontology). The primary outcome was whether the case resulted in medical evacuation or the worker remaining on duty. Results: Medical evacuation due to dental issues was reported in 88% of cases in 2023 and 80% from January to April 2024. After teleodontology implementation, the rate decreased to 70%. Specifically, the ST group showed an evacuation rate of 89%, while the CT group had a significantly lower rate of 43%. Conclusion: The integration of dental professionals into offshore emergency response teams plays a critical role in the comprehensive management of dental emergencies in remote environments. The implementation of tele-dentistry has notably minimized the necessity for medical evacuations related to dental conditions, while simultaneously ensuring the delivery of care that adheres to both clinical best practices and legal standards. Furthermore, tele-dentistry contributes significantly to the operational continuity and safety of offshore activities. Within the Petrobras offshore context, tele-dentistry has demonstrated substantial effectiveness as a strategic tool for managing dental cases in isolated settings.