The International Association of Dental Traumatology ToothSOS mobile app: A 2-year report.

Abstract

The shift in health care and technology calls for innovation through mobile applications as free educational resources for the masses. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) created ToothSOS, an app (software application for mobile devices) to provide dental trauma information for patients and professionals. The app contains information on the emergency management and prevention of dental injuries, as well as treatment guidelines for dental practitioners. The aim of this study was to assess public utilization of the ToothSOS app in the first 2years since its launch. The ToothSOS app was launched by the IADT in the first week of April 2018. Data regarding the number of downloads and usage of the app in the first 2years (from April 2018 to May 2020) were collected and analyzed. The total number of ToothSOS downloads over the 2years was 47725. The number of downloads peaked in the first month when the app was initially released. Thereafter, the number of downloads decreased to an average of 1423±363 downloads every month. Europe was the territory with the greatest number of downloads followed by the United States and Canada, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa, the Middle East, and India. Within as short a period as 2years, the ToothSOS app continues to gain public interest. Further attempts and public campaigns should be made in order to increase the visibility of the app. Dental professionals should encourage patients and communities to use the app in order to increase awareness for the prevention and proper emergency management of traumatic dental injuries.