Before Apple's iPhone 3G launched in 2008, most people had never heard of "apps." Now these computer programs designed for smartphones and tablets have permeated our culture. They have even become a mainstay in the health and medical fields.
When it comes to oral healthcare, apps are excellent tools that help dentists educate themselves and patients, connect with patients, and stay abreast of the latest in their field. Among the most popular downloads on the two leading operating systems — Android and iOS — here are six cool dentistry and oral health apps for you to choose from.
The app connects patients with the dental office to the benefit of both parties. Patients are a message away from their dentists to resolve queries or make appointments. Post-treatment follow-through also becomes easier for the dentist.
Social media integration allows dental offices to reach out to new patients. Prospects and existing patients can be kept in the loop about discounts, package deals, new procedures, etc., through push notifications. Transparent and easily available information on dentist availability reduces open chair time.
This app by My Dental Hub allows dental practitioners to educate their patients and make it easy for them to comprehend and follow the recommended treatment procedures. There are more than 345 instructional videos covering eight dentistry categories — esthetics and restorative, implants, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, preventive and oral surgery.
The content is regularly updated so that both dentist and patient can stay abreast of the latest developments. Easy Consult, by the same company, is another app with videos of treatment plans and supporting documents for 20 conditions; these can be emailed to patients.
Dentists can now carry the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT) details on their smartphones. Developed by the American Dental Association, this app enables you to check procedure codes whenever you want.
The app lists 2014 and 2015 CDT Codes, including category of service, subcategory, procedure code, nomenclature and descriptor. The codes are searchable by number, keyword and service category. Create a favorites section for storing the most frequently used codes.
The app consists of 198 animations that cover prevention and diagnostics, as well as conditions and treatments. Dentists can use this app to explain dental conditions to their patients; it is possible to view the muscles, blood vessels and nerves relevant to a dental procedure. Dentists can annotate images and then email these to the patients.
5. Epocrates
This feature-rich app is an exhaustive repository of information on drugs and is more than a handy reference for dental practitioners. Use it to check for harmful drug-drug interactions. Check up to 30 drugs at a time to learn about their active ingredients and interaction details. Identify a pill based on its imprint code or appearance.
The app has detailed information on alternative medicine that includes use, doses, cautions, adverse reactions and more. Review adult and pediatric doses, pregnancy and lactation risk, pharmacology and more.
6. Philips Zoom
This virtual teeth-whitening app that lets you beautify your smile and get a set of pearly whites. The app apprises you about how the Philips Zoom whitening technology and products can actually help you achieve whiter teeth and a more confident smile.
Dentists can use the app, which uses the VITA shade guide, as a handy reference during procedures.
