Assessment of Compliance and Validity of Digital Application-based Diet Diary with Suggestive Local Food Habits for Prevention of Dental Caries in Children

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study is to use a community-based participatory research strategy to refine and test the usability of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smartphone app, Sugar Smart, to be used by children's parents/caregivers for the maintenance of dietary records and oral hygiene habits of children in Maharashtra, India, through a single-arm parallel randomized control trial.

Materials and methods: The app, developed based on validated research on local dietary habits, was utilized by 100 children. To evaluate the app, two validated questionnaires and a 7-day diet diary format were employed. The first questionnaire assessed ease of use and compliance using a Chi-squared test, while the second examined improvements in dietary awareness before and after app usage through a paired t-test.

Results: The findings indicate that a significant majority of users positively perceived the mobile app. The first questionnaire showed high ease of use and positive feedback (87% found it easy to use, 99% reported it helped regulate sugar intake). The Chi-squared test confirmed the statistical significance (p < 0.05). The second questionnaire revealed significant improvements in oral health awareness and diet (correct brushing: 64-98%, reduced sugar usage: 28-91%). The paired t-test confirmed these improvements (p < 0.05), validating the app's effectiveness in enhancing dietary habits and oral health awareness.

Conclusion: The study provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of the digital app in improving parental awareness and management of children's sugar intake. The significant improvements observed underscore the app's potential as a valuable tool in pediatric dentistry and public health.

Clinical significance: This app demonstrates the potential to revolutionize dietary monitoring and behavior change in pediatric populations, promoting healthier dietary behaviors and thus being an effective digital tool in the reduction of caries burden.

How to cite this article: Agrawal PV, Rathi N, Sinnarkar SE, et al. Assessment of Compliance and Validity of Digital Application-based Diet Diary with Suggestive Local Food Habits for Prevention of Dental Caries in Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(2):191-197.

Keywords: Dental caries prevention; Diet counseling; Digital dentistry; Pediatric nutrition; Preventive dental care.

Fig. 1

Displays the first page of the smartphone application

Fig. 2

Displays the oral hygiene data filing page

Fig. 3

Displays the digital diet diary with the daily sugar score scale in the form of traffic light system

Fig. 4

Displays the weekly sugar score calculations which can be customized along with the relevant recommended actions

Fig. 5

Displays the page with sugar substitutes, healthy snacking options, and educational videos on dental health

Fig. 6

Displays the page with profile management

Fig. 7

Positive compliance toward the app based on parent feedback

Fig. 8

Improvement in knowledge and behavior scores before and after using the app