Mobile apps have revolutionized many aspects of life, including the way that people receive dental care. The 2017 guide includes the best new mobile apps for dentists and patients.
Braces Help
The Braces Help app offers users useful information that helps them care for their braces. The app also gives patients advice when their braces cause discomfort. When people have minor emergencies that involve their braces, they can rely on this app for assistance.
Braces App is free to install and use, but it is only available for iPhones and iPads.
Colgate Tooth Fairy
Many parents have a hard time getting children to brush their teeth properly. The Colgate Tooth Fairy app makes the job easier by turning brushing into a fun game. The app’s Teeth Timer makes sure that kids brush each quadrant of their mouths long enough to clean their teeth and gums. The app also provides oral health care tips that can prevent cavities and other dental problems.
All parents need this app to establish lifelong dental hygiene habits. It’s available for free, but it only works on iOS devices.
Dental Expert
The Dental Expert app offers a suite of services that all patients will find helpful. The app has a large Q&A section where patients can get accurate answers to common questions. It also has a Myths vs. Facts section where people can learn more about their dental care options.
Perhaps most importantly, Dental Expert has charts that show the locations and names of their teeth. This makes it easier for them to communicate with their dentists. Instead of complaining about a toothache, patients with access to these charts can identify the specific tooth that hurts.
Dental Expert is a free app for iOS devices.
Dental Phobia
Patients who have dental phobias may avoid their dentists for years or decades. During that time, their mouths can accumulate significant damage that requires expensive surgeries to fix. After a few years of neglect, patients will need fillings and crowns at the very least.
The Dental Phobia app helps people overcome their fears so they can get cleanings and other services from their dentists. Dental Phobia uses hypnosis to put listeners into relaxed states. While under hypnosis, the app delivers positive messages that reduce dental phobias. People who listen consistently may completely overcome their fears.
Listeners can also take the Dental Phobia app to the dentist. Instead of feeling anxious during procedures, they can focus on staying relaxed throughout the visit.
Dental Phobia is free and available for Android devices.
Dental Anywhere
Dental Anywhere gives dental offices the services they need to attract new patients, reach higher retention rates and improve their treatment plans. The app comes in three different versions: DDS Anywhere Lite, Premier and Premier + Rewards.
DDS Anywhere Lite lets dental practices give faster, more intuitive options to their patients. Clients who download the app can request appointments, pay for services via PayPal, get pre-op and post-op notes from their doctors, and get directions to dental offices.
The Premier version adds push notifications, a referral system, social media integration and personalized logos that let practices brand themselves.
Upgrading to the Rewards version lets dental practices track the number of points their patients accumulate, manage redeemed prizes and monitor app activity.
Dental practices that want to connect with their patients need an option like Dental Anywhere because it does the job well without forcing them to spend thousands of dollars developing their own apps.
Each app on this list offers beneficial features. Patients and dentists should compare and contrast these options to find apps that match their unique needs.
