Smartphone Apps - The Powerful E-learning Tools for Dental Professionals and Students

Abstract

Introduction: M-learning is used to supplement traditional learning methods by dental professionals and students. There is a lack of information on quality of dental educational apps. Hence the present study was conducted. Material and Methods: A total of 210 apps were included in the study. Various features of app including, the type, cost, ratings, number of downloads, involvement of dental professional in its development, target group, applicability and, user feedback was recorded. Results: Among the apps reviewed, 165 and 45 apps were general and specialty related respectively. Most of the apps reviewed were free, developed by dentist and targeted towards students. Around 81.9% android apps had less than 1000 downloads. Around 60% of the applications were updated within last fifteen months. Discussion and Implications: Most of the apps contained only text matter with few pictures. Very few apps used high definition animation to show various intercellular interactions; and augmented and virtual reality techniques to demonstrate and allow students to practice dental procedures in the virtual model. Such apps could go a long way in improving the understanding, especially of abstract concepts. Dental educational apps are relatively less, particularly the specialty related apps.

Keywords

• dental education
• information technology
• mobile applications