Could the Content Preferences for Dental Apps Vary Among Patients with Diverse Approaches to Oral Health Problems?

Abstract Aim: Patient empowerment strategies are important component of oral-health literacy and oral health outcomes. From this perspective, this study aimed to assess whether patients’ differing approaches to oral health problems were associated with variations in their dental app content preferences. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 284 dental patients who applied to the Faculty of Dentistry at a public university in Istanbul, Turkey, were included. Data were collected using a questionnaire covering sociodemographic profile, dental treatment needs, approaches to oral health problems, information-seeking behaviour before visiting a physician and preferred features of a dental mobile application. Results: When faced with an oral health problem, more than half of the dental patients (60.1%) reported seeing a dentist; others were waiting (14.4%) or searching social media (20.9%). “Educational videos on preventive oral care” was prioritized by patients who visited dentists (59.88%)”. Moreover, “Appointment planning tools” was identified as desirable content for the same group (54.49%)”. However, the most preferred features for a dental application among patients who searched dental health information via social media (65.52%) and those who waited before seeking care (52.5%) were “Information about oral health and treatments”. These results provided valuable insights for developing patient empowerment strategies and oral health policy.Conclusion: Although dentists should be the primary source of information for patients, dental applications could be useful tools for accessing reliable information, education materials, improving oral health and supporting the utilisation of dental care within the framework of patient empowerment strategies. Keywords: Oral health, dental application, mobile health, patient education, patient empowerment, oral health policy.