IADR Abstract Archives
DentaSeal: A Web-Based Application for School-based Sealant Programs
Objectives: Sealant application is considered an evidence-based, caries preventive strategy for children. School-based sealant programs (SBSPs) promote children’s oral health through preventive services (exams, sealant/fluoride varnish applications, and oral health education). Most SBSPs collect child’s examination, service and follow-up data using a paper form which can vary from state-to-state. This data is then entered into an excel-based spreadsheet, which then runs a series of macros to create various reports to evaluate the effectiveness of their program annually. However, lack of tracking child-level data from one school year to next becomes an issue to evaluate the long term success of the SBSP. This study aimed to design a new tool, ‘DentaSeal’ that allows for chairside data entry and real-time reporting focused on the needs of Wisconsin’s school-based Seal-A-Smile program.
Methods: Statewide stakeholder meetings and user interviews reviewed user workflows and limitations of the current process and tools used. A web-based, point-of-care solution was determined to be the best solution to meet user needs. Development and usability testing were performed concurrently using an Agile software development method. DentaSeal was developed using ASP.NET Model View Controller with a SQL database. Each Sprint cycle delivered functional components of the DentaSeal.
Results: The functional components of the DentaSeal included case management/oral health history, tracking outcomes, automated cost calculations, and enhanced tooth charting. Benefits of using DentaSeal include ability to track children over multiple years, efficient data entry, expanded report functionality and improved ability to evaluate the statewide program. In 2014, DentaSeal was used to capture more than 50,000 children’s record and 100,000 services within the first year of implementation. The early DentaSeal adopters have found it to be very user friendly.
Conclusions: Based on the current usage and success of the implementation in Wisconsin, it is believed there are broader research opportunities and adoption nationwide.
Methods: Statewide stakeholder meetings and user interviews reviewed user workflows and limitations of the current process and tools used. A web-based, point-of-care solution was determined to be the best solution to meet user needs. Development and usability testing were performed concurrently using an Agile software development method. DentaSeal was developed using ASP.NET Model View Controller with a SQL database. Each Sprint cycle delivered functional components of the DentaSeal.
Results: The functional components of the DentaSeal included case management/oral health history, tracking outcomes, automated cost calculations, and enhanced tooth charting. Benefits of using DentaSeal include ability to track children over multiple years, efficient data entry, expanded report functionality and improved ability to evaluate the statewide program. In 2014, DentaSeal was used to capture more than 50,000 children’s record and 100,000 services within the first year of implementation. The early DentaSeal adopters have found it to be very user friendly.
Conclusions: Based on the current usage and success of the implementation in Wisconsin, it is believed there are broader research opportunities and adoption nationwide.