International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Archive
Volume  18 (2025)
Volume  17 (2024)
Volume  16 (2023)
Volume  15 (2022)
Volume  14 (2021)
Volume  13 (2020)
Volume  12 (2019)
Volume  11 (2018)
Volume  10 (2017)
Volume  9 (2016)
Volume  8 (2015)
Volume  7 (2014)
Volume  6 (2013)
Volume  5 (2012)
Volume  4 (2011)
Volume  3 (2010)
Volume  2 (2009)
Volume  1 (2008)
Related articles

VOLUME 18 , ISSUE 2 ( February, 2025 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Navigating the World of Pediatric Dental Mobile Applications for Behavior Modification Using User Version Mobile App Rating Scale

Rasleen Dua, Shivangi Sharma, Sathyajith Naik, Pallavi Vashisth, Priya Maheshwari, Sriparna De

Keywords : Behavior modification, Dental mobile application, mHealth, Rating

Citation Information : Dua R, Sharma S, Naik S, Vashisth P, Maheshwari P, De S. Navigating the World of Pediatric Dental Mobile Applications for Behavior Modification Using User Version Mobile App Rating Scale. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025; 18 (2):126-133.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-3063

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 20-03-2025

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2025; The Author(s).


Abstract

Purpose: The mobile phone is arguably one of the fastest-spreading and adopted technologies in the world. In our pediatric clinic today, we are dealing with Generation Alpha, which is defined as those born in an era of rapid advanced technologies. Due to the high number of pediatric dental mobile apps available, it is difficult for users to find their desired applications. So, a genuine attempt was made to assess the mobile dental apps on both Google Play Store (GPS) and App Store (iOS) platforms using the prevalidated User Version of Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS). Materials and methods: A comprehensive app search was conducted on both platforms; searches were undertaken using keywords. A total of 226 pediatric dental apps were screened, and 126 apps were excluded. Of the remaining 100 apps, 24 dental apps were randomly selected by a computer software. The selected apps were evaluated and rated using uMARS. Results: After considering both subjective and objective scores, out of 24 apps, 13 apps scored acceptable (3–4), 9 scored poor (2–3), and 2 apps scored inadequate (1–2). The best five apps were: Dentist Surgery Hospital Game, Baby Panda Dental Care, Doctor Kids Dentist, Children Doctor Dentist, and I Am Dentist—Save My Teeth. Conclusion: None of the apps scored good or excellent as per uMARS criteria, and this situation needs immediate improvement. Based on the results of the study, various recommendations are proposed.

PDF Share
  1. Norris AC, Stockdale RS, Sharma S. A strategic approach to m-health. Health Informatics J 2009;15:244–253. DOI: 10.1177/1460458209337445
  2. Mobile Operating Systems’ Market Share Worldwide from January 2012 to August 2022. Statista; 2022. [Accessed 7 September 2022].
  3. Number of mHealth Apps Available in the Google Play Store from 1st Quarter 2015 to 2nd Quarter 2022. Statista; 2022. Available from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/779919/health-apps-available-google-play-worldwide/. [Accessed 6 September 2022].
  4. Abroms LC, Padmanabhan N, Thaweethai L, et al. iPhone apps for smoking cessation: a content analysis. Am J Prev Med 2011;40:279–285. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.10.032
  5. Singh P. Orthodontic apps for smartphones. J Orthod 2013;40:249–255. DOI: 10.1179/1465313313Y.0000000052
  6. Franko OI. Smartphones apps for orthopaedic surgeons. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2011;469:2042–2048. DOI: 10.1007/s11999-011-1904-0
  7. Kubben PL. Neurosurgical apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android. Surg Neurol Int 2010;1:89. DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.74148
  8. Wallace S, Clark M, White J. ‘It's on my iPhone’: attitudes to the use of mobile computing devices in medical education, a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open 2012;2:e001099. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001099
  9. PwC. Position Paper: Indian Healthcare on the Cusp of a Digital Transformation; 2015. Available from: https://www.gita.org.in/Attachments/Reports/indianhealthcare-on-the-cusp-of-a-digital-transformation.pdf. [Accessed 27 September, 2017].
  10. Jha AK. Understanding Generation Alpha. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342347030_Understanding_Generation_Alpha.
  11. Tootell H, Freeman M, Freeman A. Generation alpha at the intersection of technology, play and motivation. In: 2014 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences; 2014. pp. 82–90.
  12. Williams A. Meet Alpha: The Next ‘Next Generation’. The New York Times; 2015.
  13. Islam MA, Choudhury N. Mobile apps for mental health: a content analysis. Indian J Mental Health 2020;7(3):222–229.
  14. Stoyanov SR, Hides L, Kavanagh DJ, et al. Mobile app rating scale: a new tool for assessing the quality of health mobile apps. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2015;3:e27. DOI: 10.2196/mhealth.3422
  15. Shah HA, Nanjunda Swamy KV, Kulkarni S, et al. Evaluation of dental anxiety and hemodynamic changes (Sympatho-Adrenal Response) during various dental procedures using smartphone applications v/s traditional behaviour management techniques in pediatric patients. Int J Appl Res 2017;3:429–433.
  16. Meshki R, Basir L, Alidadi F, et al. Effects of pretreatment exposure to dental practice using a smartphone dental simulation game on children's pain and anxiety: a preliminary double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Dent 2018;15:250–258.
  17. Panchal V, Gurunathan D, Shanmugaavel AK. Smartphone application as an aid in determination of caries risk and prevention: a pilot study. Eur J Dent 2017;11:469–474. DOI: 10.4103/ejd.ejd_190_17
  18. Kanoute A, Carrouel F, Gare J, et al. Evaluation of oral hygiene-related mobile apps for children in sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022;19(19):12565. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912565
  19. Sharif MO, Alkadhimi A. Patient focused oral hygiene apps: an assessment of quality (using MARS) and knowledge content. Br Dent J 2019;227(5):383–386. DOI: 10.1038/s41415-019-0665-0
  20. Baumel A, Faber K, Mathur N, et al. Enlight: a comprehensive quality and therapeutic potential evaluation tool for mobile and web-based eHealth interventions. J Med Internet Res 2017;19(3):e82. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.7270
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.