Smartphone Applications in Dentistry: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Oral Health Management
• Public Health Informatics

Background:

• Smartphones and mobile health apps (MHAs) are increasingly prevalent across all age groups.
• MHAs offer a significant channel for disseminating oral health information and interventions.
• Existing MHAs aim to support prevention, diagnosis, and treatment adherence for oral diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of the latest literature on smartphone application use in oral disease.
• To investigate the role of MHAs in the prevention, management, and monitoring of oral conditions.
• To synthesize evidence on the effectiveness and applications of MHAs in oral healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases for relevant studies.
• Inclusion of randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional, pre-post, and observational studies.
• Adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

Main Results:

• MHAs demonstrate effectiveness in enhancing oral hygiene and reducing plaque index in pediatric and adolescent populations, including those in orthodontic treatment.
• Evidence suggests MHAs can alleviate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and improve swallowing quality of life in the elderly.
• MHAs are beneficial for reducing dental anxiety, educating non-professionals on dental trauma, and monitoring conditions like bruxism and dental erosion.

Conclusions:

• Mobile health applications are a valuable tool for monitoring oral diseases and improving patient-reported oral health outcomes.
• MHAs show potential in diverse oral health applications, from hygiene promotion to managing specific conditions and patient anxiety.
• Further research with extended follow-up and larger sample sizes is recommended to fully elucidate MHA clinical impact.