Dental Panoramic Radiology and Immersify Education

Dental Panoramic Radiology, Free, Au Medical Center, Inc

Panoramic images contain a multitude of information and recognizing normal anatomy can be a challenge. While a Google search results in a handful of useful resources, there are significant advantages to having a dedicated app on one’s mobile device like a customized mobile user experience, always having the resource present even without an internet connection, and being able to quickly access the information with a single tap. One of the many dental educational apps, Dental Panoramic Radiology (DPR), boasts a free price tag, which makes it attractive to dental and allied dental students.

Created by a team at Augusta University, DPR is an interactive iOS application that teaches and reinforces normal anatomical landmarks in panoramic images. Though the application is simple and has not been updated since 2017, a great deal of its functionality lies in its straightforwardness: all of its information is accessible from the main menu within 3 taps. Upon opening the application, users are greeted with 4 selectable areas: “Surrounding Structures,” “Mandible,” “Maxilla,” and an “I” for additional information. There are sub-menus within the anatomical areas, which list all the visible structures. Tapping on the structures themselves brings up a magnified image of the area with the structure of interest being highlighted in red. Users can toggle this highlighting on and off. Another tap of the image brings up a written description of the area. Because navigation is not done on a panoramic image, there is a base level of knowledge that is assumed when using DPR: those who are completely unfamiliar with a panoramic radiograph will have difficulty navigating and isolating the area they are trying to learn more about. DPR is best utilized as a reference tool for new learners who have already received some level of instruction; all other users will find the application either too simple or too complex. Practitioners may find DPR of use if they are interested in educating their dental auxiliaries and want to provide them with a handy reference.

-Alexander Lee, DMD

Immersify Education, $10.99/month

The learners of today consume information in an entirely different way compared to previous generations. Educating current and future oral health professionals must therefore take on a different approach to remain relevant and effective. Immersify Dental is an education resource platform that aims to provide dental students, schools and professionals with integrated and interactive encounters to learn topics from a fresh perspective.

The Immersify Dental platform is a library of content that is organized into multiple topics, each with lessons and experiences. Topics range from fundamental concepts such as anatomy to applied clinical skills such as local anesthesia. Lessons in each topic can contain informative text accompanied by 3D models that learners can manipulate directly on-screen using touch gestures. Some models can also be displayed in augmented reality mode, allowing the learner to place the visual element in the real-world environment. Experiences may include the same visual elements, but in a gamified context, allowing the learner to test and apply their gained knowledge through quizzes and activities. Lessons and experiences can be repeated to reinforce knowledge and skill.

When a learner is ready to test themselves, they can participate in challenges. Challenges are like experiences, but are grouped into more general categories involving multiple topics. Tokens are required to participate in challenges. Completing challenges earns the learner crowns, which helps unlock higher stages, or levels of challenges. Learners demonstrate competency when they complete the Global Challenge in each stage. With the Free Plan, learners are limited to 2 topics, 10 activities and 1 token per day to participate in challenges. A Premium Plan is available as a subscription and unlocks all topics, activities and supplies learners with three tokens per day.

On iOS and iPadOS devices, the app user interface is a little difficult to navigate through and is very sensitive to touch input in various locations. Learners may inadvertently advance to the next section in a lesson with an accidental tap or gesture. Some experiences have problems loading, which forces learners to restart the app to continue. These issues may be addressed in future updates of the app and platform.

-Hubert Chan, DDS