Public dental education: an entertaining approach / Siti Mariam Ab Ghani and Teh Adilla Mustaza

The internet is known to be the main ‘search engine’ for obtaining any information by the public. However, much of the information obtained and reported in the internet is neither being validated nor known to be from the right source. Similar trend is seen in dental environment, where usually patient self-educate themselves prior to the doctor’s appointment regarding their own problems and treatment options available. False or inaccurate information will jeopardise the crucial discussion and examination that ascertain the problem diagnosis, and also may negatively affect the patient-doctor relationship. This project aims to create an interactive Apps regarding public dental education, specifically in the restorative dentistry field. This Apps provides true and validated information regarding restorative dentistry and can be downloaded and used by the public. Apps in a game concept is being developed, so that dental information can be made available in a fun filled and interactive manner. Illustrated and short presentations for different types of treatment in restorative dentistry will be shown interactively. Then, common clinical scenario problems are created and given to the patients. Patients are required to choose the best treatment option from their understanding of the prior presentations. Expert comments will then be given for each treatment option chosen to enhance patients’ understanding of the clinical implications and relevance. The Apps is expected to educate patients in a fun filled and interactive way. Patients will be given validated information from correct sources, with peer-reviewed references. This will improve patient’s knowledge in dentistry and consequently improve patient-doctor relationship and also their oral health quality