Observational studyJMIR mHealth and uHealth2021
Using an mHealth App (iGAM) to Reduce Gingivitis Remotely (Part 2): Prospective Observational Study.
Observational study in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Innovations using digital technologies for periodontal diagnosis and prognosis: a narrative review.Acta odontologica Scandinavica · 2026Review
- Digital Dentistry in Clinical Practice: A Scoping Review of Current Capabilities and Future Directions.International dental journal · 2026Article
- The Definitions of Health Apps and Medical Apps From the Perspective of Public Health and Law: Qualitative Analysis of an Interdisciplinary Literature Overview.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2022Review
- Teledentistry during COVID-19 pandemic: scientometric and content analysis approach.BMC health services research · 2022Review
- Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Use of a Mobile Health App for Remote Monitoring of Gingivitis and Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Apps (Part 3): Mixed Methods Study.JMIR formative research · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundGingivitis is a nonpainful, inflammatory condition that can be managed at home. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss. Periodic dental examinations are important for early diagnosis and treatment of gum diseases. To contain the spread of the coronavirus, governments, including in Israel, have restricted movements of their citizens which might have caused routine dental checkups to be postponed.
objectiveThis study aimed to examine the ability of a mobile health app, iGAM, to reduce gingivitis, and to determine the most effective interval between photograph submissions.
methodsA prospective observational cohort study with 160 unpaid participants divided into 2 equal groups using the iGAM app was performed. The intervention group photographed their gums weekly for 8 weeks. The wait-list control group photographed their gums at the time of recruitment and 8 weeks later. After photo submission, the participants received the same message "we recommended that you read the information in the app regarding oral hygiene habits." A single-blinded researcher examined all the images and scored them according to the Modified Gingival Index (MGI).
resultsThe average age of the intervention group was 26.77 (SD 7.43) and 28.53 (SD 10.44) for the wait-list control group. Most participants were male (intervention group: 56/75,74.7%; wait-list control group: 34/51, 66.7%) and described themselves as "secular"; most were "single" non-smokers (intervention group: 56/75, 74.7%; wait-list control group: 40/51, 78.4%), and did not take medications (intervention group: 64/75, 85.3%; wait-list control group: 40/51, 78.4%). A total of 126 subjects completed the study. A statistically significant difference (P<.001) was found in the dependent variable (MGI). Improvements in gingival health were noted over time, and the average gingivitis scores were significantly lower in the intervention group (mean 1.16, SD 1.18) than in the wait-list control group (mean 2.16, SD 1.49) after 8 weeks. Those with more recent dental visits had a lower MGI (P=.04). No association was found between knowledge and behavior. Most participants were familiar with the recommendations for maintaining oral health, yet they only performed some of them.
conclusionsA dental selfie taken once a week using an mobile health app (iGAM) reduced the signs of gingivitis and promoted oral health. Selfies taken less frequently yielded poorer results. During the current pandemic, where social distancing recommendations may be causing people to avoid dental clinics, this app can remotely promote gum health.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.