Original Article

Year : 2017 | Volume : 2 | Issue : 1 | Page : 14-8

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Dental Apps in Management of Child Behaviour: A Pilot Study

Vidyavathi H. Patil, Karan Vaid, Niraj S. Gokhale, Parin Shah, Madhura Mundada, Shivayogi M. Hugar

Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, KLE University, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Niraj S. Gokhale,

Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, KLE University, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

E‐mail: neerajpedo@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:

We see children from all age groups, be it a toddler to a teenager, stuck up to the mobile phone playing interactive games or even browsing internet entertainment holds a major share in the field of mobile applications, be it from listening to music or playing online games. However, very little has happened in favor of pediatric dentistry or even educating the patients about the procedures of their treatment which can help reduce their fear or apprehension.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dental apps in the management of child’s anxiety and behavior.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty children (24 girls and 36 boys) were made to use mobile dental app called “My Little Dentist” developed by Tenlogix Games available on the Google Play Store on the android platform of the smartphones. Their anxiety levels were noted before and after playing the game using the face imaging scale.

Results:

The results were found to be highly significant; 86.67% patients turned from a negative to positive behavior, 11.67% from positive to definitely positive, and 1.67% from definitely negative to negative according to Frankl’s behavior rating scale.

Conclusion:

The mobile dental app was found to be very useful in the dental setup to reduce the fear and anxiety of the pediatric patients.

Keywords: Children, dental anxiety, dental app

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article: Patil VH, Vaid K, Gokhale NS, Shah P, Mundada M, Hugar SM. Evaluation of effectiveness of dental apps in management of child behaviour: A pilot study. Int J Pedod Rehabil 2017;2:14-8.