Quality Evaluating Mobile Health Apps for Oral Hygiene Management Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS): A...

Mobile health applications provide a valuable tool for promoting oral hygiene self-care and preventing conditions, such as gingivitis and dental caries. This review aimed to systematically evaluate mobile applications designed for oral hygiene across all age groups, assessing their quality using the Mobile App Rating Scale.

A systematic search was conducted in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to identify mobile applications focused on oral hygiene. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of the selected apps using the mobile app rating scale. Additionally, the relationships between mobile app rating scale scores, app-specific dimensions, Apple App Store user ratings, and the last update date were analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients.

A total of 21 oral hygiene-related applications were included in the review. The overall mean mobile app rating scale score was 2.48 (SD = 0.77), with scores ranging from 1.2 to 3.9. The reviewed apps were generally of poor quality. The highest-rated mobile app rating scale dimension was information (mean = 2.59, SD = 0.62), followed by functionality, engagement, and aesthetics. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong association between the functionality and information dimensions of the mobile app rating scale with app-specific dimensions.

The overall quality of mobile health applications for oral hygiene was suboptimal, with few apps meeting established quality and content standards. Many lacked access to evidence-based information, which is crucial for promoting effective oral hygiene practices. To enhance user trust and improve health outcomes, developers should adhere to evidence-based guidelines and best practices in app design and development.