Investigating the Availability and Key Features of Dental Health Applications in the Google Play Store ^†

Abstract

Amidst the rapid proliferation of mHealth applications, questions persist regarding their efficacy, usability, and integration into oral health practice. This review aims to inform practitioners and stakeholders in the field of oral health about the potential of digital technologies to transform healthcare delivery and promote healthy behaviors. Key terms included “dental”, “dentistry”, “oral health”, “dental treatment”, and “tooth care”. The Google Play Store search identified 130 applications, out of which 18 met our study objectives. Most apps (n = 13) focused on providing dental appointments, oral health education, and promotion. The Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) quality rating revealed that only 50% of these apps were of high quality. Engagement and information were the lowest scored subscales. This review highlights the many benefits that these digital tools provide, including online appointments, teleconsultations, and access to oral health educational resources. Nevertheless, despite their potential, the current state of dental health applications left substantial room for development, especially in the areas of user involvement and information quality. The lack of reliable and accurate information in many apps may be harmful to users’ health. To fully realize the potential of these digital technologies and to enhance oral health outcomes on a larger scale, coordinated actions involving stakeholders from the technology and dentistry sectors are imperative.

1. Introduction

Oral health management has gained significant attention in public health due to the escalating prevalence of dental diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that approximately 50% (3.5 billion) of the world’s population has oral health issues, with three-quarters of affected individuals residing in low and middle-income countries [1]. The burden of oral diseases is not only limited to dental discomfort but also has systemic health implications, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers, thereby impacting overall quality of life [2,3,4]. These interlinked health challenges emphasize the interconnectedness of oral health with broader systemic health outcomes and highlight the critical need for effective oral health interventions.

However, despite the proliferation of dental clinics and products, achieving sustained, good oral health has proven elusive for many individuals [5]. This is because of the predominance of private provision models; under-resourced public services; inadequate task sharing and skill mixes within teams; limited or no access for rural, remote, or disadvantaged populations; and a lack of financial protection and coverage [5,6,7]. As a result, those with the greatest need often have the least access to services [5,7]. In response to this complex healthcare landscape, there is a growing recognition of the potential for digital technologies to revolutionize healthcare delivery and oral healthcare practices [8]. The emergence of electronic health (eHealth) and mobile health (mHealth) technologies has opened new avenues for promoting oral health and facilitating healthy living behaviors among individuals [8,9]. eHealth, characterized by the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare, has facilitated the digitalization of medical records and streamlined communication between healthcare providers and patients [10]. Within eHealth, mHealth stands out as a promising subset, leveraging mobile wireless technologies to deliver health-related interventions and support directly to users’ smartphones and wearable devices [11].

The proliferation of mHealth applications tailored to oral health promotion reflects a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, empowering individuals to take an active role in managing their oral health. These applications vary in scope and specificity, ranging from educational tools for promoting proper oral hygiene practices to interactive platforms for tracking oral health behaviors and receiving personalized recommendations [12,13]. The accessibility and convenience afforded by mHealth applications enable users to monitor their oral health status regularly, receive timely reminders for dental appointments, and access evidence-based information on preventive care practices [14].

However, amidst the rapid proliferation of mHealth applications, questions persist regarding their efficacy, usability, and integration into oral health practice. The available studies support as well as challenge the use of these technologies for oral health promotion, necessitating a critical appraisal of their merits and limitations [14,15,16]. The general population and dental professionals are faced with the challenge of navigating the multitude of available applications and effectively discerning their utility in promoting the population’s oral health [16]. In light of these considerations, this narrative literature review seeks to synthesize the latest evidence to elucidate the role of mHealth applications in oral health promotion. By examining the existing evidence base, identifying the limitations and challenges associated with mHealth interventions, and providing recommendations for future research and practice, this review aims to inform practitioners and stakeholders in the field of oral health on the potential for digital technologies to transform healthcare delivery and promote healthy behaviors.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Systematic Search Strategy

We conducted this review using a sequential and parallel approach based on established systematic review procedures. We searched the Google Play Store for the top 8 key phrases from its inception to 30th June 2024. Preliminary searches were conducted using key terms to retrieve apps. Key terms included “dental”, “dentistry”, “oral health”, “dental treatment”, and “tooth care”. The preliminary search revealed that these terms were the most helpful in obtaining many relevant apps.

2.2. Eligibility Assessment

All the retrieved apps were assessed for eligibility by two independent reviewers who used predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. These criteria were designed to choose relevant apps that were accessible to the general population, with an emphasis on preventive clinical management, and general support for oral health/dental disorders. We included apps that assisted people of all ages and were available in English. We excluded apps concerning dental education (aimed at dentists or dental students), dental business applications (such as implant purchasing/selling), patient record keeping, apps related to tobacco, and apps that were subscription-based or only offered a trial period.

2.3. General Characteristics of the Apps

We extensively reviewed the downloaded apps to ensure that they satisfied the eligibility requirements. If an app failed to function after downloading, we tested it on two separate mobile phones and eliminated it if it remained unresponsive. We classified the apps’ general characteristics using aspects taken from the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) tool categorization [17] section, including the following categories: the app’s name, developer, last update date, platform (Google Play), cost, app store star rating, affiliations, target age groups, and principal focus.

We used the MARS to evaluate the apps that fit our inclusion requirements. It consists of 19 objective questions divided into four subscales: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information quality. Each subscale consists of a Likert scale of 5 points, where 1 reflects inadequate quality, 2 is poor, 3 is acceptable, 4 is good, and 5 is excellent. We used the same classification criteria for the overall quality of the app based on its score [17]. The scale’s reliability and consistency have been widely documented in a variety of instances. Two reviewers separately evaluated each app on both devices for at least 30 min. We settled any disagreements through consensus. Data from the MARS subscales and other app features were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and graded on a five-point scale. We then computed the overall MARS scores to find the best apps.

2.4. Data Analysis and Synthesis

Further data analysis and synthesis were conducted based on the themes that were iteratively generated from the included apps.

3. Results

3.1. Search Results

A search conducted on the Google Play Store identified a total of 130 applications relevant to our study topic. One app was removed due to duplication. The remaining applications underwent an initial screening for relevance, resulting in the exclusion of 75 apps. The remaining 54 applications were selected for a full eligibility assessment. However, three of these applications could not be accessed by the authors due to non-functionality and glitches in the apps and were subsequently removed from the study. Thus, 51 applications were successfully downloaded and logged into for further evaluation.

Upon comprehensive assessment, 33 applications were further excluded for the following reasons: they were aimed at the education of dentists or dental students (n = 11), related to dental business operations (n = 7), designed for electronic patient records (n = 13), or were available in languages other than English (n = 2). Consequently, 18 applications met our study objectives and were included in the final analysis (Figure 1).

3.2. Characteristics of Included Dental Apps

The included apps (n = 18) were released between 2015 and 2024. The apps ranged in size from 4.5 MB to 102 MB. The target population for these apps included various groups: three apps were specifically designed for dentists, seven apps targeted both dentists and the general public, seven apps were intended solely for the general public, and one app served a broader audience, including the general public, dentists, and other healthcare specialists. In-app purchases were available in three apps, while fifteen did not offer in-app purchases.

The average ratings of these apps ranged from 3 to 5, with four apps unrated. Nine apps had ratings above 4, and six apps had ratings between 3 and 3.5. The total number of downloads also varied widely. Two apps did not mention their download numbers, one had only 10+, three had more than 100 downloads, four had more than 1000, four had more than 10,000, one had more than 50,000, two had more than 100,000, and one app (Practo doctor appointment app) exceeded 10 million. None of the apps mentioned HIPAA compliance. The detailed characteristics of these apps are provided in

Table 1. Characteristics of included dental apps.

S.N.	Application Name	Platform Available Operating System	Size of the App (In MB)	Release Date	Target Users	Purpose of the App	In-App Purchases	Average Ratings	Total No. of Downloads	Developer	Features
1	Dental Dost- Smart Oral Care	IOS and Android	45 MB (Android) and 125 MB (IOS)	15-11-2020	General Public	Dental care and treatment consultation	Yes	4.8	10,000 +	Trismus Healthcare Technologies Pvt. Ltd.	Free dental checkups, audio/video consultations, personalized dental care plans, learning resources, dental protection plans, EMI plans for costly treatment, 24 × 7 for any dental emergency
2	Dental Care Tips	Android	7.2 MB	26-05-2023	General Public	Information about dental health	No	No reviews	100+ downloads	Inter Active Apps	General dental care education
3	Dental Care App	Android	63 MB	18-09-2018	General Public	Brushing technique	No	No reviews	1000+ downloads	Yaroslav Zablotskyy	(1) Guidance on brusing technique; (2) brushing statistics
4	scanO-AI dental checkups	Android	50 MB	15-11-20	Dentists and General Public	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	4.9	10,000 +	DentalDost	Free dental checkup for life, audio and video dentist consultation
5	Dentist On Wheels	Android	24 MB	06-04-20	Dentists	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	4.9	1000+	32INTACT HEALTHCARE PRIVATE LIMITED	Mobile dental services at home, routine checkups, virtual consultation
6	Dentulu Patient	Android	102 MB	24-09-18	Dentists	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	5	1000+	Dentulu Incorporate	Online dental appointments with teledentistry; allows reminders to be set
7	Dental Track	Android	14.47 MB	24-02-2023	General Public	Educational	No	No reviews	100+	ZimbronApps.com	Brushing habits, flossing, oral hygience routine
8	Practo: Doctor Appointment App	Android	49 MB	15-03-24	General Public, Dentists other health care specialists	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	4.5	10,000,000+	Doctor Appointment, Consultation, Meds, Testsmore	Follow-ups with patients after appointments
9	DentiCal: the dental app	Android	9.61 MB	29-11-20	Dentists and General Public	Dental care and treatment consultation	Yes	4.5	1,00,000+	DentiCalc	Dental appointment schedule, personalized dentalanimation, professionalsupport services
10	Restore Dental	Android	9.22 MB	08-03-24	Dentists and General Public	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	3	Not mentioned	Dentulu Incorporate	Convenient shceduling, patient portal, educational video tips, video conferences with dental team and staff
11	Tooth SOS	Android	19.59 MB	09-04-2018	General Public and Dentists	Dental traumatology and education	No	3	10,000+	IADT	1—Quick access to dental trauma guidelines for patients and dentists, 2—clinical judgment
12	Dental 99	Android	14.95 MB	18-03-24	General Public	Appointments	No	3	50,000+	Dental 99	Select treatment plans, schedules, appointments with nearby clinics/hospitals, paying online for treatment
13	Open Dental	Android	29.79 MB	11-06-20	Dentists	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	3	1000+	Open Dental Software, Inc (Salem, OR 97317, USA)	Appointment management, contacting patients through integrated text, viewing patient records for medical information, e-prescription, report management
14	toothsi | skinnsi is now makeO	Android	24.26 MB	05-03-21	Dentists and General Public	Dental care and treatment consultation	No	4.3	1,00,000+	makO	Easy consultation, dental procedures at doorstep, audio and video tips, clinical monitoring
15	HCT Dental Clinic	Android	34.86 MB	17-01-24	Dentists and General Public	Dental care and treatment consultation	Yes	3.5	Not mentioned	Mobiroller	Dental services
16	Gupta skin & Dental Hospital	Android	6.43 MB	19-01-19	General Public	Appointments	No	4.2	10,000 +	IMG Global Infotech Private Limited	Booking appointments, tracking approximate consultations, and complete information regarding hospital working hours, holidays, addresses, and facilities available on the premises
17	Yes Dental Center	Android	95.69 MB	21-11-2022	Dentists and General Public	Booking appointments, tracking consulations and appointments	No	3	10+	Dentulu Incorporate	1—Convenient scheduling, 2—patient portal, 3—educational video tips, 3—video conferences with dental team and staff
18	Surya Dental Clinic	Android	4.24 MB	02-03-23	General public	Appointments	No	5	100+	team aceit	Personalized dental care for the entire family, dental appointments

.

3.3. App Differentiation Based on the Purpose

Most apps (n = 13) focused on providing appointments for dental care and treatment consultations for the general public (Figure 2). Among these, six (Dental Dost- Smart Oral Care, scanO-AI dental checkups, Dentulu Patient, Practo: Doctor Appointment App, Restore Dental, Yes Dental Center) included teleconsultation services via audio–video means, whereas appointment scheduling or locating a doctor were the most common services offered by these apps, followed by the in-app purchasing of oral healthcare products. Practo: Doctor Appointment App was the most utilized app for appointment scheduling because the app offered both the option for instant video calling and making a prior appointment. Only two apps (Dental Dost-SmartOral care and scanO-AI dental checkups) were available for artificial intelligence-based free oral health checkups where oral photos could be taken and uploaded to identify oral health issues. Some of the apps (HCT Dental Clinic, Gupta skin & Dental Hospital, Yes Dental Center, Surya Dental Clinic) were restricted to particular cities and areas. Only one app (toothSOS) provided information for dental trauma cases related to emergency management and the prevention of dental trauma. The trauma app contained information for both professionals and the general public.

Oral health education and promotion (n = 13) was another of the most common areas addressed by the apps. These apps focused on the general population globally. Three apps focused on oral health promotion: Dental Care Tips, Dental Track, and Dental Care Apps. All three apps involved brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning techniques. However, the information in the Dental Care Tips app was mostly in written format. In contrast, only two apps (Dental Track and Dental Care App) offered smart timers for brushing, flossing, and mouth-washing routines, along with interactive videos demonstrating proper brushing and flossing techniques. Notably, only Dental Track provided habit-tracking tools that monitored and analyzed dental care routines over the past week and month. On the other hand, the Dental Care App offered a blend of practical tools and commercial services, including shopping options for dental care products, appointment scheduling features, and both general and personalized dental care advice. The Dental Care Tips application was rich in other educational content as well, offering guidance on dental care for children, denture care, the use of fluoride toothpaste, and mouthwash use. The app also provided information on various tooth conditions, such as decay, gum disease, dry mouth, and oral cancer, along with dietary advice promoting increased water intake, the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and limiting sugar and acidic foods. Additionally, they stressed the importance of regular dental checkups.

3.4. Quality Assessment of Apps

Of the eighteen dental health applications assessed, ten (55.55%) were considered acceptable quality and four were considered good quality (22%), as determined by reaching the minimum overall MARS threshold score of 3.0 out of 5.0. However, the MARS quality rating for each of the eighteen apps revealed that only nine (50%) of these apps scored above 3.0 on all four subscales. In terms of the subscales, functionality and aesthetics were the highest scoring parameters across all apps, while engagement and information were the lowest scoring subscales. The interrater reliability between the reviewers was calculated from the overall and subscale scores of the MARS scores for all apps, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82. The app “Toothsi|skinnsi is now makeO” was the highest rated app with an overall MARS score of 4.29, which was above the threshold for all subscales. The second highest rated app in MARS was the Practo doctor appointment app, whereas the Yes Dental Clinic had the lowest overall score (

Table 2. Quality assessment of included apps using MARS.

Name of Application	Engagement Score	Functionality Score	Aesthetic Score	Information Score	Overall MARS Score	Overall Quality
Dental Dost- Smart Oral Care	4	4	4	3.7	3.92	Acceptable
Dental Care Tips	1.8	4.25	3.33	2.14	2.88	Poor
Dental Care App	3	3	2.66	2	2.41	Poor
scanO-AI dental checkups	4	4	4	3.7	3.92	Acceptable
Dentist On Wheels	2.4	3.5	3	3.33	3.05	Acceptable
Dentulu Patient	4	3.75	4	3.83	3.89	Acceptable
Dental Track	3.2	4.5	4.33	3.16	3.79	Acceptable
Practo: Doctor Appointment App	3.6	4.25	4.33	4.16	4.08	Good
DentiCal: the dental app	3.4	3.75	3	3	3.28	Acceptable
Restore Dental	4	4.5	4.66	3.66	4.2	Good
Tooth SOS	2.8	4.25	3	4.16	3.55	Acceptable
Dental 99	2	3.5	3.3	3.5	3.07	Good
Open Dental	2.8	3	3.33	3.83	3.24	Acceptable
toothsi | skinnsi is now makeO	4	4.5	4.33	4.33	4.29	Good
HCT Dental Clinic	2.4	3.75	4	3.83	3.49	Acceptable
Gupta skin & Dental Hospital	1.8	3.5	2.33	2.66	2.57	Poor
Yes Dental Center	4	3.75	4	3.83	3.89	Acceptable
Surya Dental Clinic	1.6	2.5	2.66	2.5	2.31	Poor

). A crucial aspect of mobile health applications is the accuracy and transparency of the information provided to potential users. To assess this, a comparative analysis of the descriptions and screenshots available in the Google Play Store was conducted against the actual functionality of the applications. This evaluation aimed to determine whether the advertised features were consistent with the user experience. The review revealed that while most of the included applications accurately represented their main functionalities, certain discrepancies were identified. Some applications exaggerated their capabilities, particularly in artificial-intelligence-assisted diagnostics, real-time teleconsultation, and user engagement features. For instance, a few apps claimed to provide AI-based oral health assessments but, upon usage, were found to rely solely on static questionnaires rather than image-based diagnostics. Similarly, some teleconsultation apps advertised instant access to dental professionals but required lengthy registration processes and appointment scheduling. Furthermore, the screenshots provided in the app store often focused on the most visually appealing aspects of the app, such as the interface design and general features, while omitting critical details such as data privacy measures, subscription requirements, or potential limitations in functionality. This highlights a need for standardized guidelines to ensure that app descriptions accurately reflect their true capabilities. Given the growing reliance on mobile applications for oral health management, transparency in app descriptions is essential for maintaining consumer trust. Developers and regulatory bodies should consider implementing stricter requirements to ensure that the information provided in app stores is accurate and representative of the actual user experience. Future research should further investigate the impact of misleading descriptions on user engagement and trust in mHealth applications (Figure 3).

4. Discussion

People with oral health issues face unique barriers to accessing appropriate care, including a lack of information and obstacles in accessing relevant research [18,19]. Mobile applications provide a great opportunity to improve the availability of dental care services by offering customers fast solutions to dental-related issues [16]. They serve as a conduit between patients and dentists, with features such as teleconsultation, appointment calendars, and reminders that help to improve patients’ adherence to dental regimens. Moreover, applications provide health information about proper oral hygiene and preventive actions, allowing users to practice good oral hygiene and detect dental issues at an early stage [20,21]. Furthermore, cost assessments and insurance applications via dental applications may have a favorable impact on the utilization of dental treatments by informing patients about the costs involved. Thus, high-quality apps can improve dental care delivery, costs, and quality.

We reviewed the features and quality of 18 dental health apps available on the Google Play Store that address a range of factors for promoting oral health. A total of 72% of the apps in our review provided access to online resources on oral diseases, their treatment, or their prevention. Nevertheless, this subcategory earned the second lowest score out of the four MARS tool components. Echoing this, Sharif and Alkadhimi (2019) [22] evaluated the quality of 20 commercially accessible, patient-focused oral hygiene apps using the MARS and discovered that ‘functionality’ had the highest mean score and ‘information’ had the lowest. They also discovered that many oral health applications excluded components considered necessary for excellent oral hygiene guidance or offered entirely incorrect information (Sharif et al.). Tiffany et al. (2018) [13] noticed, in their review of oral health promotion apps, that the educational material was often concise, and occasionally included data that could be regarded contradictory to the objective of changing users’ health behavior. Access to accurate information is essential for people with oral health issues. As a result, any apps focusing on oral health and hygiene must ensure that the information they provide is reliable and easy to understand. The content of these apps should be simple but informative to encourage consumers to utilize and embrace them, which will ultimately improve their dental health. In light of these findings, the dental community must actively collaborate with app developers to guarantee that patient-facing apps are tailored to the right patient populations and contain reliable information.

Teleconsultation and online dental appointment apps were the most downloaded types of apps, indicating a high need and preference among users for accessible and convenient dental care alternatives. In congruence with this, a study of conservative dentistry and endodontics mobile apps also noted clinical consultation as being the second most addressed theme by the apps [14]. Teleconsultations are a great substitute for in-person meetings because they are more cost-effective, more accessible, and enable participants to interact from the comfort of their own homes [23]. Similarly, online appointments simplify the process of booking dental visits and treatment procedures by eliminating lengthy waiting times at clinics [24,25]. They enable users to readily check available time slots and book appointments at their convenience, increasing their satisfaction and service engagement. Canbazoglu et al. (2016) [23] tested a teleconsultation app among dentists and reported the usefulness of the app in terms of reducing the workload for clinical staff, assisting in improving patient flow, and reducing administrative errors. These trends in preference highlight the possibility of digital interventions to close healthcare delivery and access gaps, particularly in underserved or rural locations where dental services are scarce and highlight the potential to significantly increase people’s desire to contact healthcare services at the earliest stages of oral disease and improve adherence by offering virtual or audio-based consultation options.

Our study revealed thirteen apps relevant to our search that focused on oral health promotion; however, only two apps (Dental Track and Dental Care App) offered smart timers for oral self-care along with interactive videos, while other apps just provided educational information. Similarly, in their study on health apps for motivation and training for brushing, Hotwani et al. (2019) [26] discovered that four out of six applications included graded activities, self-monitoring of behavioral outcomes, demonstration of behavior, prompt use of images, and time management. Studies on the usefulness of oral self-care apps have shown that innovations such as smart timers, animation videos, and toothbrush games entertain and influence children to practice oral and dental hygiene, improve brushing quality and time, reduce dental fear, and acquaint them with dental settings and procedures [27,28]. One randomized controlled study examined the effectiveness of gamified oral health promotion apps on mothers and discovered that children whose mothers used gamified apps had higher knowledge scores and a lower Plaque Index after one month [29]. In addition, the continuous use of apps can be further constrained by user engagement. The MARS tool scores for the engagement domain were the lowest in our study, which indicated the clear need for improvement in this domain. The inclusion of formal data from scientific websites, along with animated videos, can improve the trustworthiness of such apps and make them more interactive and engaging. Therefore, to increase the adoption and efficacy of oral health applications, developers must exercise considerable care and attention to guarantee high-quality and user-friendly instructional content.

However, despite these positive impacts, the limited numbers of these innovative apps illustrate various underlying variables that influence the development and availability of dental apps. One significant issue is that developers and investors believe there are not enough prospective app consumers. Unlike more common health concerns such as hypertension, diabetes, and other lifestyle disorders, oral health concerns do not receive the same amount of focus or urgency from entrepreneurs and investors, resulting in little investment in commercial app development. Furthermore, the lack of specialized knowledge and skills needed to obtain trustworthy information regarding dental care and the difficulty of incorporating such information into an educational, functional, and readily navigable app pose threats to the commercial sustainability of these apps [30].

4.1. Strengths and Limitations

The methodology employed in this paper is generalizable to other health conditions. However, our study faced certain limitations. One significant limitation was the challenge in searching for oral health condition-specific care apps, due to the vast number of oral health issues. Access to some apps was restricted by subscription models or there being no access to the app’s login page. Additionally, the data security check could not be comprehensively performed with the available data. Another significant drawback of the study was that the Google Play store imposed a search output constraint, which limited the retrieval of relevant apps to 500 search results and, as a result, excluded potentially relevant apps that exceeded this barrier. In addition, the Google Play store’s search algorithm is unknown, which could influence app visibility and ranking in the Google Play store owing to unknown factors, resulting in the possibility of selection bias.

Furthermore, since our search was limited to the English language, we acknowledge that apps developed in other languages may not have been included in our review. In addition, the quality assessment of the apps was carried out by researchers who are from clinical dentistry backgrounds who primarily reflect their perspective; thus, there is a risk of subjective bias in the quality appraisal. Our study did not involve patients as participants, underscoring the need for further research that includes end users and incorporates the patient’s perspective during the development of future apps and mHealth interventions. Finally, our search did not include iOS apps, increasing the risk of missing potentially eligible apps.

4.2. Implications

Based on the findings of this study, there is a need for coordinated efforts to increase knowledge about the benefits of dental health apps among both patients and dental practitioners, so that these apps can be included in their routines. Understanding customer needs and expectations is necessary before they can be implemented in apps. End-user surveys and qualitative research can be used to learn more about this [31]. Additionally, funding or collaborations with dental associations could serve as incentives for developers, encouraging the development of innovative, high-quality apps specifically geared toward oral healthcare.

5. Conclusions

Mobile applications hold great potential to improve patient engagement, dental care delivery, and lower healthcare disparities. This review highlights the many benefits that these digital tools provide, including online appointments, teleconsultations, and oral health educational resource access. Nevertheless, despite their potential, the current state of dental health applications leaves substantial room for development, especially in the areas of user involvement and information quality. The lack of reliable and accurate information in many apps may be harmful to users’ health. To fully realize the potential of these digital technologies and enhance oral health outcomes on a larger scale, coordinated actions involving stakeholders from the technology and dentistry sectors are imperative.