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MEDWIN PUBLISHERSOpen Access Journal of Dental SciencesISSN: 2573-8771Committed to Create Value for ResearchersTele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-ToDate ReviewKarataban PK*Research ArticleAssist.Prof.Dr., Bahcesehir University School of Dental Medicine, TurkeyFaculty of Dentistry, Prof.Dr. BAU International University, GeorgiaVolume 6 Issue 3Received Date: September 07, 2021Published Date: September 28, 2021*Corresponding author: Dr. Pinar Kiymet Karataban, DDS PhD, Assistant Professor,DOI: 10.23880/oajds-16000308Bahcesehir University School of Dental Medicine; Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, BauInternational University Dentistry Faculty, Batumi, Georgia, Email: pkarataban@hotmail.com; pinarkiymet.karataban@dent.bau.edu.tr; ractThe pandemic changed the landscape of the accessibility to healthcare in an unexpected way. The instant disconnectionwith healthcare professionals including dental professionals thrusted tele-medicine and tele-dentistry into the spotlight. Inpediatric dentistry, there are applications developed for both patients and dentists. This article aims to provide an overview ofpediatric dentistry-related applications available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store that can be useful for children,families and pediatric dentists. iPhone XS was used to access the Apple App Store, and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 devices wasused to access the applications in the Google Play Store. The keywords; pediatric dentistry, teeth, brushing teeth, toothbrushtimer, pediatric dental care, dentist games, dental pain, dental trauma were selected and searched in Google Play Store andApple App Store. In total there were 313 applications related to pediatric dentistry which were classified as “Applications forPediatric Dentists” and “Applications for Pediatric Patients and Their Families”.Keywords: Apps; Pediatric Dentistry; Tele-Dentistry; Tele-Medicine; Toothbrush Game; Covid-19 PandemicIntroductionSince the beginning of 21st century progress in thedigitalization technology is undeniable. With the impact ofCovid-19 pandemic and the sudden disconnection of thepatients with the healthcare professionals, changed thelandscape of the accessibility to healthcare and thrusted telemedicine and tele-dentistry into the spotlight.Technology now constitutes a large part of our lives inboth personal and professional fields. Especially in recentyears, there has been an extraordinary increase in theadoption of new technological developments that changeour lives. Along with technology, the development ofsmartphones is also on the agenda. Smartphones, besidesreceiving of phone calls and messages use a technology thatTele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Reviewallows routine access to limitless knowledge and informationvia access to the internet [1]. A smartphone is defined as amobile device that displays advanced functions beyond atraditional mobile phone. Smartphones also can take photos,record and play videos, access e-mails, and browse the web[2].With the development of operating systems, today,smartphones function like computers with their designs,and their ability to develop and use applications [3]. Whenanalyzed the phone usage statistics in June 2021, 3.8 billionpeople in the world use smartphones which constitutes48.33% of the world’s population. The number of people withsmart and feature phones is 4.88 billion, which correspondsto 62.07% of the world’s population (Figure 1), [4].J Dental Sci
2Open Access Journal of Dental Sciencesrelated to the medical field has reached 65% [7]. This risemay also be related to the lockdowns and restrictions in theCovid-19 Pandemic period. Besides, during the pandemicperiod the need to access to healthcare professionals for thenon-emergency conditions, might have led the developmentof more telemedicine apps.Figure 1: Number of smartphone users, worldwide iPhonedata from 2016-2021 in billions [4].With the use of smartphones, the use of mobileapplications is also increasing. Mobile applications, commonlyknown as ‘’apps’’, are small, functional, stand-alone softwareunits designed to run through the information operatingsystem of smartphones [5]. An application is a small specialprogram that is usually downloaded to a mobile device, anda collection of applications can be accessed in Appstore foriPhone İOS System, and Google Play for Android Systemsmartphones. All applications can be downloaded from thiscollection of applications [1,6]. Modern smartphones; iPhoneand Android-based phones, can run third-party applicationsthat provide unlimited functionality [2].The first market entry of IOS App Store started withonly 500 applications in 2008, comparing the data for2021, approximately 1.85 million different applicationsare available in the App Store. In the Google Play Store forAndroid users, this number is currently 2.56 million [7].The Use of Apps in Healthcare and DentistryMobile applications also spread in fields such as medicine,public health, and dentistry [8]. These applications eliminatetime constraints by providing health services to people atany time of the day. Location at the desired location allowspeople to access information without geographical barriers[9,10]. Since January 2020, the download rate of applicationsAccording to Statista data for 2021, the number of currenthealth and medical applications is 53,054 in the Google PlayStore and 53,9792 in the IOS Apple Store [11,12]. With thetechnological development of smartphones, applicationshave also evolved and currently there are applications bothclinicians and students can benefit from in areas such assmoking cessation [13], pain management [14], orthopedicsurgery [15], ophthalmology [16], and radiology [17]. Thefield of dentistry is also affected by these developments, andthe number of applications related to the field is increasingday by day. Bohn, et al. evaluated the approaches of patientsto dental applications, and they found that patients liked theapplications and found them educational and useful; andthat the applications improved the patients’ communicationwith the dentist [18].In pediatric dentistry, there are applications developedfor both patients and dentists. There are applications inpediatric dentistry which provide opportunity for pediatricdentists to integrate technology into their clinical practices,to instill oral hygiene habits for pediatric patients. For parentsthere are game like apps which help to provide oral hygienemotivation for their children, besides there are medicinalapps which help them to cope with the dental emergencycases such as dental trauma. Besides many advantages of theuseful applications, the presence of incorrect or incompleteinformation in some applications may cause disadvantagessuch as delaying dentist appointments by adhering tothe information in the applications. The advantages anddisadvantages of applications related to pediatric dentistryare listed in Table 1.AdvantagesEasy and fast access to informationProviding oral hygiene education and motivation to family and childPreparing the child for dental proceduresPreventing dental phobia in childrenEnabling family to cope with emergencies such as dental traumaDentists’ ability to integrate technology and clinical practicesEase of access for dentists to new, up-to-date information.DisadvantagesThe risk of inaccurate and incomplete information inapplicationsDisruption of dentist appointments by adhering tothe information in the applications.Table 1: Advantages and Disadvantages of Applications in Pediatric Dentistry.Karataban PK. Tele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Review. J DentalSci 2021, 6(3): 000308.Copyright Karataban PK.
3Open Access Journal of Dental SciencesMethodsResultsThis article is relevant to pediatric dentistry appsavailable on the Apple App Store (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA,USA) and the Google Play Store (Google Inc., Mountain View,CA, USA), to both children and family.On 13 June 2021, 2 smartphones were used to access 2different stores of applications. Iphone XS Max (Apple Inc.,Cupertino, CA, USA) device with IOS 14.6 software installedwas used to access the Apple App Store. To access theapplications in the Google Play Store, the Samsung GalaxyNote 20 (Samsung Telecommunications, Suwon, Korea)device with the R Android 11 software was used. Keywordsselected searched in Google Play Store and Apple AppStore were as follows; pediatric dentistry, teeth, brushingteeth, toothbrush timer, pediatric dental care, dentistgames, dental pain, dental trauma. The research includedpaid and free applications related to pediatric dentistryin all languages. Applications in different languages wereanalyzed by translating with Google Translate (Google Inc.).All information collected for each application, including theprice details of the application and about the developer wasrecorded and included in the study. All other dentistry andmedical health applications that are not related to pediatricdentistry were excluded from the study.Apple App StoreGoogle Play StoreTable 2: Available Applications for IOS and Android.All applications related to pediatric dentistry werecategorized into 4 main groups according to the applicationstore type and application’s interest to patients or pediatricdentists. Applications that interest children and familiesaccording to the detailed contents were classified into4 subcategories as games, brush timers and simulators,general information for families, and dental emergencies.Applications for pediatric dentists are classified into 4subcategories: practice management and diagnosis aid,publications/journals/news, dental emergency, and finallypediatric dental drugs.The applications were classified as “Applications forPediatric Dentists” and “Applications for Pediatric Patientsand Their Families.” While there are 20 applications in theApp Store for pediatric dentists, there were 38 applicationsin the Google Play Store. While the number of applicationsfor pediatric patients and their families was 151 in the AppStore, it was 162 in the Google Play Store. As a result, itwas determined that there were a total of 313 applicationsrelated to pediatric dentistry (Table 2).Applications for Pediatric DentistsPractice Management/ Aiding DiagnosisPublications/Journals/NewsDental EmergencyPediatric Dental Drugs ManagementApplications for Pediatric Patients and Their FamiliesGamesGeneral Information for FamiliesBrush Timers and Simulations for ChildrenDental EmergencyTOTALApplications for Pediatric DentistsPractice Management/ Aiding DiagnosisPublications/Journals/NewsDental EmergencyPediatric Dental Drugs ManagementApplications for Pediatric Patients and Their FamiliesGamesGeneral Information for FamiliesBrush Timers and Simulations for ChildrenDental EmergencyTOTALKarataban PK. Tele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Review. J DentalSci 2021, 6(3): 000308.75178295911511486109614466162Copyright Karataban PK.
4Open Access Journal of Dental SciencesApplications for Pediatric DentistsAs a result of screening applications for pediatricdentists in both Appstore and google play a total of 58 appswere identified. Applications that generally help in clinicalpractice, apps that contribute to the diagnosis, treatmentof diseases, and apps that enable the dental professional tofollow innovations and developments in the field of pediatricdentistry. To better understand the content and spectrum ofthese applications, we categorized them under 4 categoriesas; “Practice Management/ Aiding Diagnosis”, “Publications/Journals/News”, “Dental Emergency”, and “Pediatric DentalDrugs Management”.There were a total of 21 applications for iOS and Androidphones in the “Practice Management/Aiding Diagnosis”area. The Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, developed by TheAmerican Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), which isamong the applications, is an application available in boththe App Store and Google Play Store (Figure 2). It providesAAPD members to access information easily and quickly.In the content of the application, some sections can helppediatric dentists in their clinical practice and at the sametime follow the innovations in this field. The most up-to-dateapproaches to diagnosis and treatment in pediatric dentistrycan be accessed from the login, Search the Handbook, Browsethe Handbook by Chapter, Member Website, Authors & Intro,Oral Health Policies & Recommendations options.developments in the field of pediatric dentistry are explained.It is an application available for both iOS and Android devices.Thus, pediatric dentists can access up-to-date informationanytime, anywhere, thanks to this application regardlessof place and time. Another feature of the application is thatit sends notifications when new journals are published,allowing pediatric dentists to be informed instantly. Inaddition, it offers easy access to these notes by downloadingthe magazines, adding notes to important places, and makinghighlights.Figure 3: Journal Paediatric Dentistry.There are a total of 7 applications for IOS and Androidphones in the “Dental Emergency” field. Applications inthis area concern both pediatric dentists and families. TheToothSOS application is an application affiliated with theInternational Association of Dental Traumatology (Figure 4).Figure 2: The Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry.In total, there were 13 applications for IOS and Androidphones in the “Publications/Journals/News” area. JournalPaediatric Dentistry, which is among the applications, isa journal application (Figure 3). It includes case studies,the most up-to-date studies, and publications, whereKarataban PK. Tele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Review. J DentalSci 2021, 6(3): 000308.Figure 4: ToothSOS.Copyright Karataban PK.
5Open Access Journal of Dental SciencesIt is a downloadable application for iOS and Android phones.There are “I Have a Tooth Injury” and “How to PreventDental Injuries” options for families. After selecting thetype of emergency dental trauma in the “I Have a ToothInjury” option, the steps that the person should followat that moment are explained in detail according to thetrauma type. In the “How to Prevent Dental Injuries” option,people are informed about what needs to be considered toprevent trauma. The latest dental trauma guide is availablefor dentists, and emergency treatment options are offeredto dentists in patients who come with trauma. In addition,continuing education on trauma is also available in thisapplication.In the last category of applications for pediatricdentists, there were a total of 17 applications for iOS andAndroid phones under the title of “Pediatric Dental DrugsManagement”. Pediatric Dental Dosing application is adownloadable application for both iOS and Android devices(Figure 5). It has very useful content that allows the pediatricdentist to adjust the dose according to the age and weight ofthe child and provide detailed information about the drug tobe prescribed when the drug is to be prescribed for pediatricpatients.Figure 5: Pediatric Dental Dosing Calculator.Applications for Pediatric Patients andTheir FamiliesAs a result of screening applications a total of 313 appsfor pediatric patients and parents have been revealed. Toothbrushing simulations and timers that enable children to maketooth brushing habits more fun and games that help themovercome their fear of the dentist have been identified. Forfamilies, there are informative applications that enable theirchildren to perform oral hygiene and dental care correctlyand guide them and applications that explain what needs tobe done in emergency dental traumas. To better understandthe content and areas of these applications, we havecategorized them under 4 categories as; “Games”, “GeneralInformation for Families”, “Brush Timers and Simulations forChildren”, and “Dental Emergency”.There are a total of 178 applications for IOS and Androidphones in the “Games” category. Dentist Care: The TeethGame is available on the App Store and Google Play Store(Figure 6). With the simpler versions of the equipmentused by pediatric dentists, cavities are cleaned and dentaltreatments of the characters in the application are carriedout. In this way, this game provides a fun and simple rehearsalfor children to understand that dental treatment is a goodthing and how they will encounter the procedures when theygo to the dentist by mastering these stages.Karataban PK. Tele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Review. J DentalSci 2021, 6(3): 000308.Copyright Karataban PK.
6Open Access Journal of Dental Sciencesand gold, makes brushing fun.Figure 6: Dentist Care: The Teeth Game.In the “General Informations for Families” category, thereare a total of 23 applications in both the Google Play Store andthe App Store. The Dental App is an application that providesfamilies with the necessary information to maintain theirchildren’s dental health (Figure 7). It enlightens families indetail about the frequency of children’s tooth brushing, thefrequency of dental visits, and breastfeeding.Figure 8: Brushing Hero Game.Under the last category, “Dental Emergency”, there area total of 7 applications for iOS and Android devices. TheDental Trauma application is available on the Google PlayStore (Figure 9). In this application, what family should doin case of traumatic dental injuries, is explained in detailaccording to the type of trauma that occurs in the permanentor primary teeth of the children. This app works allowing thefamily to control the situation healthily until they go to thedentist.Figure 7: Dental Education App for parents.There are a total of 105 applications for iOS and Androiddevices in the “Brush Timers and Simulations for Children”section (Figure 8). The brushing Hero application is asimulation application that encourages children to brush theirteeth. In the application, after the phone’s camera is turnedon, the child becomes a hero and as he brushes his teeth,the creatures are killed and gold is earned. This application,which allows the child to level up as they accumulate pointsFigure 9: Dental Trauma Guide.Current PerspectivesThe technological development and innovations in thefield of dentistry are now developing towards digitalization.The increase in development of applications, especially inKarataban PK. Tele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Review. J DentalSci 2021, 6(3): 000308.Copyright Karataban PK.
7the field of pediatric dentistry, is very beneficial for pediatricdentists, families and their children. While it is an importantadvantage for pediatric dentists to be able to followinformation and innovations anywhere at any time, it is nowimportant for families and children to increase awarenessof such practices as oral hygiene and tooth brushing. Wescanned the applications available in the Google Play Storeand Apple App Store in this study. Of the 313 applicationstargeting parents and children related to pediatric dentistry,162 belong to the Google Play Store and 151 to the Apple AppStore.When all the applications are analyzed it is seen thatthere are many applications in the categories of “Games” and“Brush Timers and Simulations for Children”, especially inapplications for pediatric patients and families. This showsthat the importance given to children’s dental health hasincreased by associating it with technology. There is a needto increase the number of applications in other categories,especially in applications for pediatric dentists, and in thecategory of “general information for families”.ConclusionThe number of health applications, especially in thefield of pediatric dentistry, is increasing day by day. Althoughthere are many advantages of applications in this field, it isalso crucial to pay attention to the disadvantages. Most of theapplications are not developed by a dental professional norwith the help of an association of pediatric dentistry. Thereare apps aiming the education of parents but the educationalmaterial is not sufficient. For this reason, it is necessary tomake arrangements to prevent children and their familiesfrom accessing erroneous content in applications.In addition, considering all these developments, familiesshould not trust the effectiveness of the applications onehundred percent and not disrupt their children’s dentalexaminations. Pediatric dentists should also use theapplications they deem appropriate as a source of motivationfor their families and children. They should warn thefamily that these applications are only motivating methodsand should not interfere with regular examinations andtreatments to pediatric dentists.AcknowledgementI would like to express my appreciation to Assoc. Prof.Dr.Delal Dara Kılınç and Dr. Irmak Erakman for their valuablesuggestions during the planning and development of thisresearch work.Open Access Journal of Dental SciencesReferences1.Singh P (2013) Orthodontic apps for smartphones. JOrthod 40(3): 249-255.3.Boulos MNK, Wheeler S, Tavares C, Jones R (2011)How smartphones are changing the face of mobile andparticipatory healthcare: an overview, with an examplefrom eCAALYX. BioMed Eng OnLine 10: 24.2.4.5.6.7.8.9.(2021) Smartphone.(2021) Cell phone Research & Guides.Wallace S, Clark M, White J (2012) ‘It’s on my iPhone’:attitudes to the use of mobile computing devices inmedical education, a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open2(4): e001099.Mamillapalli PK, Neela PK, Sesham VM (2012) Modelanalysis on a smartphone. JCO 46(06): atisticsKay M, Santos J, Takane M (2011) mHealth: New horizonsfor health through mobile technologies. WHO.Akter S, Ray P (2010) mHealth-an Ultimate Platform toServe the Unserved. Yearbook of medical informatics pp:94-100.10. Thakkar J, Barry T, Thiagalingam A, Redfern J, McEwanAL, et al. (2016) Design Considerations in Developmentof a Mobile Health Intervention Program: The TEXT MEand TEXTMEDS Experience. JMIR MHealth UHealth,4(4): e127.11. pps-available-google-play-worldwide/12. pps-available-ios-worldwide/13. Abroms LC, Padmanabhan N, Thaweethai L, Phillips T(2011) iPhone apps for smoking cessation: a contentanalysis. Am J Prev Med 40(3): 279-285.14. Rosser BA, Eccleston C (2011) Smartphone applicationsfor pain management. J Telemed Telecare 17(6): 308312.15. Franko OI (2011) Smartphone apps for orthopaedicsurgeons. Clin Orthopaed Relat Res 469(7): 2042-2048.16. Hassani TJR, El Sanharawi M, Dupont Monod S, BaudouinC (2013) Smartphones in ophthalmology. Journalfrancais d’ophtalmologie 36(6): 499-525.Karataban PK. Tele-Dentistry Rising: The Apps of Pediatric Dentistry: An Up-To-Date Review. J DentalSci 2021, 6(3): 000308.Copyright Karataban PK.
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The Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, developed by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), which is among the applications, is an application available in both the App Store and Go
