Study evaluates mobile app for at-home dental screening.

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 29 July 2025

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CARDIFF, Wales: As humanity continues to lean into artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies for all manner of basic life challenges, the realm of an individual’s oral healthcare too is evolving. While the dentist’s office remains the definitive space for diagnosis and treatment, mobile apps are being developed to offer patients supplementary support. TestMyTeeth, for example, is an AI-powered app for at-home plaque screening. A new study by researchers in Wales has cast a critical yet constructive spotlight on the app, showing that, while it has potential to support preventive oral healthcare, it falls short in user friendliness and requires significant technical improvements.

The study assessed the usability and user experience of TestMyTeeth by engaging 132 participants across varied age groups and educational backgrounds. Despite the app’s promise as a tool for self-monitoring oral health, its average System Usability Scale score was 56.2—categorised as “marginal” usability. A benchmark score of 68 is typically required to denote acceptable performance. The app’s scores were significantly lower than those reported for another AI-powered mobile app designed to assist in the detection of early childhood caries, AICaries.

Participants were asked to use TestMyTeeth, which uses a smartphone’s camera and AI to detect plaque, and complete a structured questionnaire. While 54.6% said that they would consider using the app frequently, only 41.6% found it easy to use. Notably, 50% of respondents anticipated needing technical support.

One of the main barriers was difficulty in capturing clear intra-oral images—particularly of the posterior teeth. Many users struggled with focus and positioning, leading to unreliable results and diminished confidence in the technology. While some praised the empowerment that came with self-monitoring, others expressed concern about the accuracy of AI assessments without professional oversight, a finding echoed in a related study recently reported on by Dental Tribune International. Several participants in the Wales study voiced unease about relying on AI diagnostics alone, fearing missed pathology or misinterpretation. The study’s authors recommend integrating professional input—such as remote dental consultations—to bolster confidence and accuracy.

No significant differences were found across demographic groups, suggesting that the app’s challenges are universal and not tied to age, education or sex. Participants offered constructive suggestions, such as integrating augmented reality for camera guidance, a selfie mode and more intuitive user instructions.

The findings highlight the fine balance digital dentistry must strike between innovation and accessibility. While TestMyTeeth holds substantial promise as a patient-led oral health tool, improving its usability, guidance system and reliability will be key to ensuring long-term engagement and clinical relevance.

The study, titled “Evaluating user perceptions and usability of an AI-powered smartphone application for at-home dental plaque screening”, was published on 11 July 2025 in the British Dental Journal.