BACKGROUND
Increasingly Apps are being used to promote oral care. Many of them target on children.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to systematically review and assess Apps that promote oral care/hygiene for children.
METHODS
A broad search strategy (13 keywords) was developed to identify Apps from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store in April 2019. After reviewing the App’s ‘title and summary/abstract’, ‘potentially relevant’ Apps were downloaded for viewing. The quality of the apps that met inclusion criteria were assessed by HONcode (Health on the Net foundation Code of Conduct) criteria for medical and health websites and Scientific Basis of Oral Self-Care (SBOSC).
RESULTS
More than 3,000 Apps were identified and 52 ‘relevant’ Apps informed the review. The quality of the Apps according to HONcode (Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct) criteria was generally low. Mean HONcode scores was 1.8 / 8.0. A quarter of the Apps had a HONcode score of zero (25.9%, 14). The Scientific Basis of Oral Self-Care of the Apps was evaluated based on a 6-point scale (SBOSC). Mean SBOSC score was 1.5 / 6.0; 18.5% (10) of the Apps had a score of zero. There was a significant and positive correlation between HONcode and SBOSC scores (r 0.37, p<0.01). More recent uploaded Apps had a significantly higher HONcode scores (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
There are many Apps to promote oral self-care among children. The quality and scientific basis of these Apps are low. More new apps are of higher quality in terms of scientific basis. There is a need to ensure quality and scientific-based Apps be available. The effectiveness of Apps in terms of oral care and clinical outcomes among children needs to be evaluated.
CLINICALTRIAL