Abstract: - Over 80% of school-age children worldwide and 60–90% of children with primary dentition suffer from dental caries, which continues to be a major global health concern. Poor dental hygiene in early childhood can cause discomfort, stunted growth, and a lower standard of living. Effective educational strategies are vital because parents have a significant influence on children's oral health behaviors, particularly during the early developmental years. However, the long-term efficacy of conventional oral health education techniques like lectures and printed materials is frequently found to be limited. The use of game design elements in non-gaming contexts is known as gamification, and it has become a cutting-edge strategy to boost engagement and encourage healthy habits. With an emphasis on its use through mobile health (mHealth) platforms, this review examines the function of gamification in oral health education. A thorough search for studies published between 2010 and 2023 was done using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC databases. The review focuses on important gamification components that increase motivation and adherence to oral hygiene practices, such as goals, rewards, feedback, and social interaction. A number of gamified apps, such as Brush DJ, Pokémon Smile, and Colgate Magik, are designed mainly for kids and use interactive and entertaining features to help them brush their teeth more effectively. To assess long-term efficacy and broaden the application of gamification in comprehensive oral health education and behavioral modification, more excellent research is required.
Nanda et al. (Fri,) studied this question.