Prithiviraj, Dharshini;
Smyth, Robert SD;
Sharif, Mohammad Owaise;
(2022)
Orthodontic apps: An assessment of content accuracy and validity.
Journal of Orthodontics
10.1177/14653125221131064.
(In press).
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Abstract
Objective: To assess the content accuracy of orthodontic treatment information in patient-focused apps. Design: A cross-sectional review study. Setting: Orthodontic apps available on the UK Android and Apple App Stores. Methods: Apps identified in a previous research study and those identified via a questionnaire of specialist orthodontists were assessed for accuracy of content utilising an evidence-based checklist. The checklist covered five main orthodontically relevant themes and 32 codes with respective items. Results: The accuracy of information content for 16 patient-focused apps was assessed. Eight apps provided information related to orthodontic treatment and handling emergencies. Five apps were reminder apps and a small number (n = 3) contained games and timers for toothbrushing and aligners. With regard to the accuracy of information content, only two apps contained information across all five themes of the evidence-based checklist. Only one app received a score of ‘fair - excellent’ under the oral hygiene theme; interestingly, this app was the most commonly used patient-focused app. Eight apps containing orthodontic treatment information scored poorly as they had inaccurate information on handling emergency situations. None of the apps were deemed excellent with regard to accuracy of information content. Conclusion: The orthodontic mobile apps assessed in this study mostly contained information of poor accuracy. Therefore, there is a need for high-quality apps with credible information supported by evidence to be developed.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Orthodontic apps: An assessment of content accuracy and validity |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1177/14653125221131064 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1177/14653125221131064 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © The Author(s) 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Lficense (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). |
| Keywords: | orthodontic apps, mobile apps, content accuracy, smartphones |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute > EDI Craniofacial and Development Sci UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10157566 |
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