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Patient focused oral hygiene apps: an assessment of quality (using MARS) and knowledge content
- Source :
- British Dental Journal. 227:383-386
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2019.
-
Abstract
- Introduction Smartphone apps can be a valuable means for education and prevention to improve the health of children, adolescents and adults. A recent review of apps has revealed that there are over 1,000 patient-focused oral hygiene apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play (Android) store.Objective The purpose of this research is to objectively assess the quality of 20 commercially available, patient-focused oral hygiene apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Furthermore, the accuracy of oral hygiene-related information contained within the apps will be assessed.Methods Apps meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated for: 1) quality using the MARS tool; and 2) information accuracy using an eight-item, evidence-based checklist relating to important aspects in the prevention of caries and periodontal disease.Results The mean app quality score was 3.4/5 (2.3-4.9). On average, of the four MARS subscales assessed, 'functionality' had the highest mean score (4) and 'information' had the lowest (2.9). With regard to the accuracy of information contained within these apps, only two were found to contain accurate information for all eight items of the checklist. The majority (60%) of the apps (n = 13) did not contain information relating to at least 50% or more of the items present.Conclusions Currently available apps appear to be functional, however, there is a need to improve engagement, aesthetics and most importantly information content of apps.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Medical education
Adolescent
business.industry
MEDLINE
030206 dentistry
Esthetics, Dental
Knowledge content
Oral Hygiene
Mobile Applications
App store
Oral hygiene
Checklist
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Rating scale
mental disorders
Quality Score
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Android (operating system)
Child
Psychology
business
General Dentistry
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14765373 and 00070610
- Volume :
- 227
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- British Dental Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....60dfa76b6ff843603f956eafde5cde3f