Comparison of digital technologies and traditional diagnostic methods in the assessment of oral health

Relevance. Modern approaches to diagnosing and monitoring oral health are being increasingly shaped by digital technologies. As remote monitoring tools continue to evolve, increasing attention is being paid to the clinical effectiveness of mobile applications for self-monitoring oral health.

Materials and methods. The study included 300 university students aged 18–29 years. Standard index-based assessment methods were applied (DMFT, Hygiene Index, Occlusogram Index), along with the Dental Scope mobile application. Appbased results were compared with clinical data. Follow-up assessments were carried out after two years in 235 participants. Descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and paired t-test were used to assess changes in the measured indices.

Results. Both the main and control groups showed improvements in most parameters following treatment. The mean app-based score increased from 7.4 to 9.3 in the main group and from 7.9 to 9.1 in the control group (p < 0.001). Positive changes were observed in the DMFT index, hygiene levels, and Occlusogram Index (OGI). These changes correlated with clinical data, confirming the diagnostic value of the digital tool.

Conclusion. The results demonstrate a strong agreement between the dynamics recorded by the mobile application and those observed through conventional clinical assessment. This supports the use of the Dental Scope app as an effective tool in preventive and follow-up dental care.

1. Gusev AV, Vladzimirsky AV, Sharova DE, Arzamasov KM, Khramov AE. Evolution of research and development in the field of artificial intelligence technologies for healthcare in the Russian Federation: results of 2021. Digital Diagnostics. 2022;3(3):178–194 (In Russ.). doi: 10.17816/DD107367

2. Tavberidze KYu. Digital technologies and digital marketing in the field of Russian healthcare. Public Health and Healthcare. 2025;84(1):45–50. (in Russ.) doi: 10.56685/18120555_2025_84_1_45

3. Cryer BS. Orthodontic considerations in predicting and preventing third molar impactions: a review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1981;74(12):909–910. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7033534/

4. Shirokova VI, Tsaregorodtsev AD, Kobrinsky BA, Voropaeva YA. Medical examination monitoring in the pediatric population: state-of-the-art and tasks for enhancing its effectiveness. Russian Bulletin of Perinatology and Pediatrics. 2009;(4):4–10 (In Russ.). Available from: https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=12887204

5. Es’kov VM, Grigorenko VV, Nazina NB. Medical cybernetics and biomechanics: third type systems. Izmerenie, monitoring, upravlenie, kontrol'. 2020;(2(32)):72–79 (In Russ.). Available from: https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=43167654

6. Tachalov VV, Orekhova LY, Kudryavtseva TV, Loboda ES, Pachkoriia MG, Berezkina IV, et al. Making a complex dental care tailored to the person: population health in focus of predictive, preventive and personalised (3P) medical approach. EPMA Journal. 2021;12:129–140. doi: 10.1007/s13167-021-00240-7

7. Cirillo D, Valencia A. Big data analytics for personalized medicine. Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 2019;58:161–167. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.03.004

8. Shah ND, Steyerberg EW, Kent DM. Big data and predictive analytics: recalibrating expectations. JAMA. 2018;320(1):27–28. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.5602

9. Tiwari T, Rai N, Brow A, Tranby EP, Boynes SG. Association between medical well-child visits and dental preventive visits: a big data report. JDR Clinical & Translational Research. 2019;4(3):239–245. doi: 10.1177/2380084419841850

10. Galiullin AN, Yakimova YY, Khadyeva MN. Medical and social assessment of satisfaction with the quality of medical dental care of the population: Short review. Russian Journal of Dentistry. 2024;28(3):287-294. (In Russ.). doi: 10.17816/dent607375

11. Anisov NV, Abolmasov NN, Adaeva IA, Prygunov KA, Kuftyrev DA, Boikova EI, et al. Digital technologies as a tool for diagnosing and preventing primary traumatic occlusion. Clinical Stomatology. 2024;27(2):52–58 (In Russ.). doi: 10.37988/1811-153X_2024_2_52