Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40560354›Full record

SynthesisEuropean archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry2026

Are mobile health applications for traumatic dental injuries effective? A systematic review of their impact on diagnosis, prevention, management, and education.

T Walia, M S Muthu, A Saikia, R M Shetty, R P Anthonappa

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

T WaliaCollege of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates. ttww@yahoo.com.
M S MuthuCentre for Early Childhood Caries Research (CECCRe), Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Porur, Chennai, 600116, India.
A SaikiaDepartment of Paediatric Dentistry, UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, 17 Monash Ave, Nedlands, Perth, 6009, Australia.
R M ShettyCollege of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
R P AnthonappaDepartment of Paediatric Dentistry, UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, 17 Monash Ave, Nedlands, Perth, 6009, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) have emerged as powerful tools for enhancing clinical decision-making, knowledge dissemination, and proactive care in traumatic dental injuries (TDIs). This systematic review aims to collate and assess the available evidence on the usefulness of mobile apps in (1) diagnosis, (2) prevention, (3) management, and (4) education of TDIs.

methodsThis review examined studies published between January 2012 and August 2024, focusing on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), clinical trials, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies that assessed the effectiveness of mobile health apps in the management of TDI care. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 for RCTs and the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional studies. The GRADE approach was used to assess the certainty of the evidence.

resultsSixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including 12 cross-sectional studies and 4 RCTs. The cross-sectional studies primarily assessed knowledge improvement, while the RCTs focused on skill development and practical applications. Quality assessments indicated notable methodological concerns. All four RCTs were rated as high risk of bias due to inadequate randomisation, lack of blinding, and participant attrition. According to the GRADE approach, the overall certainty of the evidence was judged to be very low.

conclusionWhile mobile health applications such as ToothSOS, Dental Trauma, and Injured Tooth show promise in improving knowledge and decision-making related to TDIs, the evidence is limited by high risk of bias and low quality. Future studies should focus on rigorous RCTs and explore AI integration to enhance effectiveness.

Indexed as

Mobile ApplicationsTooth InjuriesHumansTelemedicineDiagnosisEducationHealthcare professionalsManagementmHealthMobile applicationsPreventionSystematic reviewTraumatic dental injuries

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.