The role and effectiveness of mobile health apps in oral health promotion programs: A rapid review

Eleza Tiara Mahaputri, Sri Susilawati, Anne Agustina Suwargiani, Yolanda Dwiutami Gondowidjojo

Abstract


Introduction: Oral diseases remain a major public health challenge worldwide despite ongoing preventive efforts, with dental caries and poor oral hygiene continuing to affect a large proportion of the population. Mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as a promising approach to oral health promotion by delivering accessible, interactive, and user-centered educational interventions that incorporate behavior change techniques to support sustained oral hygiene practices. This study aims to determine the role and effectiveness of mobile health apps in oral health promotion programs. Methods: This study employed a rapid review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2025 using Boolean operators. Articles were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results: A total of nine RCTs met the eligibility criteria. All included studies reported that mHealth apps functioned as interactive educational media used by children, adolescents, and parents. Applications incorporating behavior change techniques through interactive features demonstrated positive effects on users' oral health behavior compared with conventional methods. Conclusion: Mobile health apps are effective adjunctive tools for oral health promotion by enhancing oral health knowledge, supporting positive oral hygiene behaviors, and improving short-term clinical outcomes. Their effectiveness appears to be enhanced by integrating interactive behavior change features that encourage sustained user engagement.

Keywords


Mobile health apps, oral health, oral health education, rapid review.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24198/pjd.vol38no2.65062

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