Helping general dental practitioners use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need: an assessment of available educational apps

David G. Murray; Gautham Sivamurthy; Peter Mossey

doi:10.1038/s41415-023-6445-x

Helping general dental practitioners use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need: an assessment of available educational apps

David G. Murray (Lead / Corresponding author), Gautham Sivamurthy, Peter Mossey

Dentistry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Introduction: The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) defines who receives treatment on the NHS. The British Orthodontic Society developed the 'Easy IOTN' app to help the dental team use IOTN more effectively.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the quality of the 'Easy IOTN' app and any alternative mobile apps developed to aid a dentist's ability to use IOTN.

Materials and methods: The App Store and Google Play were searched to identify available apps which provide an educational resource for IOTN. Any app identified was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the Royal College of Physicians' health informatics unit checklist. The 'Easy IOTN' app continuous professional development (CPD) section was assessed for accuracy using a focus group.

Results: Only the 'Easy IOTN' app was identified. It has a mean MARS score of 3.6. Significant inaccuracies were found within the CPD component of the 'Easy IOTN' app.

Discussion: A mean MARS score of 3.6 is deemed average and is comparable to the quality of other orthodontic apps which exist. Errors contained within the CPD component could confuse users and have a negative impact on IOTN skill development.

Conclusions: The educational component of the 'Easy IOTN' app is of an acceptable standard, but the CPD section is flawed.

Original language	English
Number of pages	5
Journal	British Dental Journal
Early online date	8 Nov 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6445-x
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 8 Nov 2023

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title = "Helping general dental practitioners use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need: an assessment of available educational apps",

abstract = "Introduction: The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) defines who receives treatment on the NHS. The British Orthodontic Society developed the 'Easy IOTN' app to help the dental team use IOTN more effectively.Aim: This study aims to investigate the quality of the 'Easy IOTN' app and any alternative mobile apps developed to aid a dentist's ability to use IOTN.Materials and methods: The App Store and Google Play were searched to identify available apps which provide an educational resource for IOTN. Any app identified was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the Royal College of Physicians' health informatics unit checklist. The 'Easy IOTN' app continuous professional development (CPD) section was assessed for accuracy using a focus group.Results: Only the 'Easy IOTN' app was identified. It has a mean MARS score of 3.6. Significant inaccuracies were found within the CPD component of the 'Easy IOTN' app.Discussion: A mean MARS score of 3.6 is deemed average and is comparable to the quality of other orthodontic apps which exist. Errors contained within the CPD component could confuse users and have a negative impact on IOTN skill development.Conclusions: The educational component of the 'Easy IOTN' app is of an acceptable standard, but the CPD section is flawed.",

author = "Murray, {David G.} and Gautham Sivamurthy and Peter Mossey",

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doi = "10.1038/s41415-023-6445-x",

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AU - Mossey, Peter

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N2 - Introduction: The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) defines who receives treatment on the NHS. The British Orthodontic Society developed the 'Easy IOTN' app to help the dental team use IOTN more effectively.Aim: This study aims to investigate the quality of the 'Easy IOTN' app and any alternative mobile apps developed to aid a dentist's ability to use IOTN.Materials and methods: The App Store and Google Play were searched to identify available apps which provide an educational resource for IOTN. Any app identified was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the Royal College of Physicians' health informatics unit checklist. The 'Easy IOTN' app continuous professional development (CPD) section was assessed for accuracy using a focus group.Results: Only the 'Easy IOTN' app was identified. It has a mean MARS score of 3.6. Significant inaccuracies were found within the CPD component of the 'Easy IOTN' app.Discussion: A mean MARS score of 3.6 is deemed average and is comparable to the quality of other orthodontic apps which exist. Errors contained within the CPD component could confuse users and have a negative impact on IOTN skill development.Conclusions: The educational component of the 'Easy IOTN' app is of an acceptable standard, but the CPD section is flawed.

AB - Introduction: The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) defines who receives treatment on the NHS. The British Orthodontic Society developed the 'Easy IOTN' app to help the dental team use IOTN more effectively.Aim: This study aims to investigate the quality of the 'Easy IOTN' app and any alternative mobile apps developed to aid a dentist's ability to use IOTN.Materials and methods: The App Store and Google Play were searched to identify available apps which provide an educational resource for IOTN. Any app identified was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the Royal College of Physicians' health informatics unit checklist. The 'Easy IOTN' app continuous professional development (CPD) section was assessed for accuracy using a focus group.Results: Only the 'Easy IOTN' app was identified. It has a mean MARS score of 3.6. Significant inaccuracies were found within the CPD component of the 'Easy IOTN' app.Discussion: A mean MARS score of 3.6 is deemed average and is comparable to the quality of other orthodontic apps which exist. Errors contained within the CPD component could confuse users and have a negative impact on IOTN skill development.Conclusions: The educational component of the 'Easy IOTN' app is of an acceptable standard, but the CPD section is flawed.

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DO - 10.1038/s41415-023-6445-x

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SN - 0007-0610

JO - British Dental Journal

JF - British Dental Journal

ER -

Helping general dental practitioners use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need: an assessment of available educational apps

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