Comparative analysis of an innovative app versus conventional techniques to improve patient compliance after minor oral surgical procedures (Preprint)

Abstract

Certain factors such as compliance, comprehension, retention of instructions, and other unaccounted elements impact the objectives of post-operative care. It is imperative that patients follow the instructions and prescribed regimen diligently for a smooth and placid healing. Keeping the same principles in view, ExoDont was designed by our team, an android-based mHealth app which ensures a smooth post-operative period for the patients after a dental extraction. Besides providing post-operative instructions at defined intervals, the app also sends out drug reminders as an added advantage over other available conventional modes.

To compare the compliance rate of individuals with respect to the prescribed regimen, postoperative instructions, and additionally, assess any significant changes in post-operative complications rate under the three categories namely Verbal, Verbal plus Written, and ExoDont group.

The patients after tooth extraction were randomly assigned to the aforementioned groups and a one week follow-up through a phone call was planned to obtain the responses from study participants. The result obtained from the three groups was then statistically analyzed.

The compliance rate in patients for post-operative instructions and prescribed drug adherence was statistically significant in the group using ExoDont app than in Verbal or Verbal plus Written group. However, the difference in the incidence of postoperative complication rate was not significant among the three groups.

As evident from the result, it is anticipated that the ExoDont app will be revolutionary in not only circumventing the unaccounted possibilities of missing the prescribed dose and post-operative instructions but also ensure a smooth post-operative phase and easy recovery for the patients.