Maternal Perspectives on Gamified Oral Health Interventions for Children

Gamified tools have shown promising improvements in health promotion. However, little is known about how mothers perceive their use in improving children's oral health.

This qualitative study explored the insights of mothers of school-aged children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, regarding gamification tools aimed at promoting oral hygiene.

Participants were selected using purposive variation sampling to capture diversity. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews conducted in Arabic or English.

Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: engagement and motivation to play, barriers related to prolonged use, perceived usefulness, parents' concerns and conflicts, desired features, and observed effects on children's behavior. These findings reflected the varied characteristics and experiences of the participants and highlighted both the learning potential and limitations of gamified tools for oral health education. While some mothers acknowledged the positive impact of gamified tools on increasing their children's knowledge and motivation in maintaining oral hygiene, others expressed concerns regarding excessive screen time, content, and linguistic needs.

Gamified tools appear effective in enhancing children's oral hygiene practices, as reflected by maternal observations of improved brushing habits. Nonetheless, concerns regarding screen exposure, content suitability, and cultural appropriateness emphasize the need for more customized and engaging solutions.