Effect of mobile applications in oral health promotion among elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the effects of mobile applications, as reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), on oral health prevention and promotion among elderly individuals aged 65 and above. Data were sourced from multiple databases, including Medline, Embase and 10 others, as well as ICTRP up to February 2025, without language restrictions. Pairs of reviewers independently selected RCTs, extracted data, appraised risk of bias with RoB-2 and rated certainty (GRADE). Meta-analyses were undertaken wherever appropriate. For outcomes exhibiting high heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the sources of the heterogeneity. From 4375 references, 9 studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions primarily involved asynchronous smartphone applications (n = 7) or combined asynchronous/synchronous text messaging (n = 2). Compared to conventional strategies, mobile applications demonstrated no effects in gingival index, OHIP-14 and GOHAI. However, versus no intervention, mobile applications improved USFR (SMD, 1.93; 95%CI, 0.85 to 3.01), while reducing OHIP-14 (SMD, -0.82; 95%CI, -1.59 to -0.05) and Winkel tongue coating index (SMD, -1.02; 95%CI, -1.66 to -0.39). Sustained effects over time were also observed. In comparison to no intervention, mobile applications may have effects on oral health promotion. However, relative to conventional strategies, there had been no significant change in the performance of the mobile application. But current evidence was sparse and low-quality, the results of meta-analyses should be interpreted with caution. This review was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024583806) on September 06, 2024. Detailed proposal was available for public access, further details can be found at the following link (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024583806).