Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025
Digital Hybrid Model Preparation for Virtual Planning of Reconstructive Dentoalveolar Surgical Procedures
Published on: August 5, 2021
Aligning orthodontic education: Investigating the use of a digital app to improve the performance in managing
Julian Woolley1, Dirk Bister2, Martyn Sherriff3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
Introduction:
General dentists are qualified to manage orthodontic emergencies within their scope of practice. This may involve advice, hands-on intervention or referral to a specialist orthodontist. This study aimed to assess the effect of an orthodontic app on dental undergraduates' ability to manage common orthodontic issues. In addition, this study aimed to determine the confidence of dental students in finding information related to orthodontic emergencies (CFI) as well as their confidence in managing orthodontic emergencies (CMOE).
Materials And Methods:
Students were randomised into one-of-three groups, an app group, an internet group and a closed-book, exam-style group. All participants self-reported their CFI and CMOE. Following this, all participants were asked to complete a multiple-choice question (MCQ) paper based on clinical orthodontic scenarios. In addition, the app group were instructed to complete an app usability questionnaire (MAUQ).
Results:
Approximately, 91.40% of students (n = 84) had not received clinical training in managing orthodontic emergencies, and 97.85% (n = 91) had not managed an orthodontic emergency clinically within the last 6 months of their training. The mean score for CFI was 0.10 out of 1.0 (SD 0.11) and CMOE was 0.28 out of 1.0 (SD 0.23). Statistically significant better MCQ scores were found in the app group, and no statistically significant difference was found between the internet and exam-style group.
Conclusions:
This study is the first to consider the use of an orthodontic app to aid in the management of orthodontic issues. It has practical implications for how mobile apps can aid in learning and can be incorporated into the wider dental field.
