Maternal Perspectives on Gamified Oral Health Interventions for Children
Mona T Rajeh1, Afnan A Nassar2
1Department of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|November 25, 2025
Summary
Gamified tools can improve children's oral hygiene, motivating better brushing habits. However, mothers express concerns about screen time and content suitability, suggesting a need for tailored digital health solutions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oral Health
- Digital Health Interventions
- Health Promotion
Background:
- Gamified tools show potential in health promotion.
- Limited understanding exists regarding mothers' perceptions of these tools for children's oral health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore mothers' insights on gamification tools for promoting oral hygiene in school-aged children.
- Study conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing purposive variation sampling.
- Semi-structured individual interviews conducted in Arabic or English.
Main Results:
- Six themes emerged: engagement, barriers to use, perceived usefulness, parental concerns, desired features, and behavioral effects.
- Mothers noted increased knowledge and motivation but also raised concerns about screen time, content, and language.
Conclusions:
- Gamified tools can enhance children's oral hygiene practices.
- Need for customized, culturally appropriate digital solutions addressing screen time and content concerns.
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