METHODS: Two online surveys were administered through Google Forms, incorporating both five-point Likert scales and open-ended questions alone for the student questionnaire. The patient questionnaire, available in English and Mandarin, was distributed during or after teleconsultations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data.

RESULTS: Out of 125 students, 88% (N = 110) were contacted by 318 patients. Of them, 79.1% reported no telecommunication problems, 91.8% faced no language barriers, and 87.2% encountered no technological barriers. Most students (67.3%) agreed they would need further training in TD. Low confidence levels were observed among 26.3% of students in managing crowns and bridges and among 18.2% of students in managing mucosal conditions. From the patient perspective, 76.4% contacted the students via WhatsApp Messages and 21.0% used the Voice Call mode. About 44.0% of patients enquired about the next available appointment. Their most common concern was tooth pain (15.1%) followed by denture problems (9.1%), chipped fillings (6.6%), and crowns and bridge problems (6.3%). Overall, 82% patients reported effective communication during teleconsultation, 85% were satisfied with the questioning process, and expressed satisfaction with the diagnoses provided. However, 10% of patients chose to ignore their concerns, and 5% sought assistance from medical practitioners.