DoctOral: Educational interactive smartphone app for dental students and trainee dentists

Abstract

Introduction Diagnosis of several oral diseases is a challenge for students and trainee dentists due to the wide heterogeneity of clinical features of lesions). Diagnosis of OPMDs is difficult due to the many varieties, different forms, and overlapping characteristics. A well-delineated workflow begins with a clinical examination of the oral cavity by naked-eye inspection (NEI) in order to recognize clinical features (color, texture, and thickness). When it is a potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), pathological conditions of the oral mucosa with an increased risk of malignant transformation, promptness is essential so to have an early diagnosis. Aims The objective of the study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of DoctOral, an educational application designed to enhance the recognition of oral lesions, increasing diagnostic accuracy and the confidence of dental students compared to traditional teaching methods. Materials and Methods The DoctOral app has been developed as an educational resource for dental students, designed to assist them in recognizing oral lesions. This innovative application utilizes a decision-making algorithm that guides users through a structured diagnostic process, simplifying the evaluation of oral cavity conditions. DoctOral classifies lesions based on parameters such as color, morphology, and etiology, and it offers diagnostic pathways with multiple-choice questions to stimulate critical thinking. Additionally, the app provides comprehensive diagnostic support with informative summaries and clinical images related to various conditions. An experimental case-control study was conducted with 60 dental students divided into two groups: one group used the app for eight weeks, while the other utilized traditional educational methods. At the end of the study, a questionnaire was administered to assess the usability and educational effectiveness of both approaches. Results The study showed that dental students using the DoctOral app significantly improved their diagnostic skills, achieving a 30% increase in accuracy and a 40% reduction in diagnosis time compared to traditional methods. Feedback revealed that 90% found the app very useful, with 95% praising its ease of navigation. Additionally, 75% reported increased confidence in identifying complex oral lesions. Overall, DoctOral was effective in enhancing diagnostic capabilities and clinical skills. Conclusions To date, it has been downloaded more than 10K users. The development of interactive smartphone applications for educational purposes could be helpful in aiding the learning of diagnostic processes for students and a support that can be used in postgraduate training as well with the ultimate goal of enabling early diagnosis of the lesion.