Mobile app for diagnosis of defects in enamel development
perception of interest of the dental Community
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35699/2178-1990.2026.59318Keywords:
mobile applications, differential diagnosisAbstract
Introduction: Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDEs) pose diagnostic challenges for dental professionals, potentially leading to inaccurate treatment plans. Mobile applications offer a promising tool to assist in clinical decision-making. Aim: This study aimed to assess the interest of the dental community (students and professionals) in a mobile application designed to aid in DDE diagnosis.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample (n = 61) comprising undergraduate students, postgraduate students, clinicians, and professors in pediatric dentistry from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data collection took place over one month, beginning in November 2024, through a Google Forms questionnaire. Participants first viewed a video simulating the app’s functionalities and then completed a virtual questionnaire assessing their knowledge of DDEs, diagnostic challenges, interest in the app, desired features, and willingness to pay.
Results: While most participants (73.8%) reported familiarity with DDE types, a significant proportion acknowledged difficulty in diagnosing them correctly (49.2% reported partial confidence), with distinguishing similar defects being the main challenge (75.4%). A total of 88.5% of participants considered the proposed application highly relevant, and 98.4% expressed interest in acquiring it. Willingness to pay was high (80.3%), with “Freemium” (37.7%) and “Single payment” (34.4%) being the preferred models. Suggestions for additional features were collected through open-ended responses. The responses were analyzed descriptively using absolute and relative frequencies.
Conclusion: The findings indicate significant interest in and perceived relevance of a DDE diagnostic mobile application within the dental community, supporting its development to enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide appropriate treatment.
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