Key Points
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Describes the development and application of a novel PDA concept in dentistry, with a unique back-office system and dental health epidemiology database.
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The system interfaces are easy to translate to different languages and applications.
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The concept has unique applicability in areas with few dentists or dental hygienists, since large populations may be screened by relatively few dental professionals.
Abstract
Objective To develop a personal digital assistant (PDA) application for oral health assessment fieldwork, including back-office and database systems (MobilDent).
Design System design, construction and implementation of PDA, back-office and database systems.
Methods System requirements for MobilDent were collected, analysed and translated into system functions. User interfaces were implemented and system architecture was outlined. MobilDent was based on a platform with. NET (Microsoft) components, using an SQL Server 2005 (Microsoft) for data storage with Windows Mobile (Microsoft) operating system. The PDA devices were Dell Axim.
Results System functions and user interfaces were specified for MobilDent. User interfaces for PDA, back-office and database systems were based on. NET programming. The PDA user interface was based on Windows suitable to a PDA display, whereas the back-office interface was designed for a normal-sized computer screen. A synchronisation module (MS Active Sync, Microsoft) was used to enable download of field data from PDA to the database.
Conclusions MobilDent is a feasible application for oral health assessment fieldwork, and the oral health assessment database may prove a valuable source for care planning, educational and research purposes. Further development of the MobilDent system will include wireless connectivity with download-on-demand technology.
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Acknowledgements
Marianne Forsell, Michael Häggström and Petteri Sjögren were supported by Oral Care AB, Stockholm, Sweden, and Olle Johansson was supported by grants from The Karolinska Institute, The Cancer and Allergy Foundation (Cancer- och Allergifonden) and the Help Foundation (Hjälpfonden). The work of Emma Hallqvist and Laila Norin (Oral Care AB, Stockholm, Sweden) on the requirements for the MobilDent user interfaces, and the work of Matts Tannerfeldt (Oral Care AB, Stockholm, Sweden) on the MobilDent database and back-office systems, is greatly acknowledged. We thank Matthew Renard (Oral Care AB, Stockholm, Sweden) for help with the figures during revision of the manuscript.
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Forsell, M., Häggström, M., Johansson, O. et al. A personal digital assistant application (MobilDent) for dental fieldwork data collection, information management and database handling. Br Dent J 205, E17 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.873
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.873
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