Prithiviraj D, Smyth R S, Sharif M O. Orthodontic apps: An assessment of content accuracy and validity. J Orthod 2023; 50: 166-167.

Many are inaccurate.

Mobile apps may improve clinician-to-patient communication, feedback and monitoring, as well as providing health care information.

Sixteen orthodontic patient-focused apps were assessed for presence and accuracy of relevant information about oral hygiene, dietary advice, fixed appliances, orthodontic retention and emergency situations. Of the 16, 8 provided generic information about treatment, 5 were reminder apps and 3 contained games and timers for toothbrushing. Five apps contained an oral hygiene section of which only one scored fair-to-excellent (information present and mostly accurate). Six apps contained dietary advice, all of which was scored overall as poor. For fixed appliances (7 apps), retention (8 apps) and emergency situations (8 apps), all were scored overall as poor, information being absent or present but not accurate.

There is a need for high-quality, evidence-based orthodontic apps with the aim to improve patient compliance but until that time, a mix of information delivery tools will need to be used including YouTube videos and traditional paper information leaflets.