Use of a Mobile Application as an Auxiliary Aid for Oral Hygiene in Dental Students

Abstract

Objective :To evaluate the efficacy of Brush DJ oral health mobile application as an auxiliary aid to oral hygiene practices among first year dental students.

Materials and methods: A double arm interventional study was undertaken among 1st year undergraduate dental students . 62 students participated in the  study and were randomly allocated into group 1 and  group 2. Group 1 received oral hygiene instructions, delivered verbally with the help of models and videos whereas group 2 was additionally introduced to Brush DJ mobile app.

Oral hygiene index  & Bleeding index were recorded  at baseline and  1month. A questionnaire regarding their knowledge on oral hygiene practices and efficacy of the verbal instructions/ mobile application was administered online through google drive by sending link to their registered E-mail. Statistical data were analysed using the SPSS software with a significance of P < 0.05.

Results: Analysis of OHI-S and Bleeding index showed a significant reduction among both the group, however, when compared between the group showed no statistical significant difference. The questionnaire survey revealed that Brush DJ mobile app motivated the participants 100% and 96.8% participants felt their teeth cleaner after using mobile app.

Conclusion: Brush DJ can be used as an auxiliary aid for oral hygiene maintenance. It is a viable option to take the oral health services to the doorsteps of the underserved population.