Digitalization strategy for personalized dental medicine: A case study on orthodontic service

Abstract Background: Digital technologies are increasingly being used in medical practice to improve the doctor–patient relationship. Patient communication exerts a significant impact on the effect of orthodontic treatment and patient satisfaction. However, how medical providers can implement digital transformation with limited resources in digital technologies to achieve the best benefits is yet unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the digital transformation framework in the context of the orthodontic process and understand the needs and desires of various stakeholders to help dentists formulate optimal digital transformation strategies of personalized dental medicine. Methods: A review of the literature related to the orthodontic process and interviews with relevant stakeholders were conducted. Content analysis was subsequently performed to construct an evaluation framework of the digital transformation of the orthodontic service. Finally, desire–requirement analysis (DRA)-NRM was performed. Results: This research constructed an evaluation framework of the digital transformation of four procedures, namely, clinical evaluation (CE), therapeutic communication (TC), orthodontic treatment (OT), and patient tracking (PT). The questionnaires were obtained from orthodontic digital transformation stakeholders, including dentists, digitalization solution providers (i.e., manufacturers), and patients. DRA-NRM analysis results revealed that TC was classified as the focus strategy and considered the most important stage of digital transformation. CE is considered to be the transformation strategy, and OT was a promotional strategy. Finally, PT was a deduction strategy. Conclusions: This research adopts the perspective of orthodontics-based digital stakeholder perspective to propose an evaluation framework that can provide strategic and reliable advice on the implementation phase for digital transformation in personalized orthodontic service. The results of this research could help dental develop effective digital strategies to improve doctor-patient relationships and use limited resources effectively to achieve optimal personalized dental medicine.