###### Abstract  
The aim of this cross-sectional pilot survey was to assess patients' perception and acceptance of a tele(oral)medicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a telephone survey on 84 patients of MoMax ambulatory at the Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery at \"Sapienza\" University of Rome, Polyclinic Umberto I. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded, and a 24 question-survey was completed. A Chi-square test and an ANOVA test were performed with a significance level of 5% to determine the association between two target questions of the survey (Q22 and Q23) and specific variables such as computer skills, conditions influencing the experience of the conventional visit, and the difficulty in taking intraoral photos. Sixty-two (73.8%) patients declared an interest in the use of a tele(oral)medicine program. Furthermore, 41 (48.8%) participants preferred this type of visit to a conventional odontostomatological visit. Significative statistical associations were found between patients' interest in a tele(oral)medicine service and computer skills, conditions influencing the experience of the conventional visit, and the difficulty in taking intraoral photos. Our study showed that the tele(oral)medicine program appears to meet the expectations and needs of our patients.  
SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; survey; telemedicine; telehealth; tele(oral)medicine; teledensity; televisit +
Footnote †: journal: Medicalthe oropharyngeal region. Furthermore, the production of droplets and aerosols and direct contact with the patient's fluids, such as saliva or blood, are characteristic of dental procedures [4]. Following the recent shelter-in-place orders across Italy, the majority of oral medicine clinics in hospitals, dental schools, and private practice settings are faced with the challenge of maintaining regular oral medicine services while keeping their patients, providers, and staff from being exposed to COVID-19 [5].  
Following the aim of bridging the gap between healthcare services and the population, tele(oral)medicine has been recognized as a tool to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.  
The following three modes of operation hold great value for oral diagnosis: teleorientation, which allows professionals to perform screenings, provide guidance, and refer patients with suspected oral lesions to face-to-face assistance, if needed; telemonitoring, which permits professionals to visually monitor patients through photographic control; and teleconsultation, which enables the exchange of information between professionals, assisting in diagnosis and therapy for the patient.  
Although teledentistry is far from new, it is used on a limited scale and its advantages in tele(oral)medicine have not yet been fully explored. Furthermore, there is limited published evidence to show patients' readiness and acceptance of teledentistry services [6]. The current literature on the acceptance of teledentistry is limited to health care providers [7].  
Barriers to the use of telemedicine include concern regarding the patient-physician relationship, legal issues such as privacy and data concerns, and social issues such as variable digital access and familiarity with telecommunications technologies [8].  
The aim of this pilot survey was to assess patients' evaluation and acceptance regarding the introduction of a new tele(oral)medicine service to improve patients' satisfaction and, ultimately, patients' care.