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.