DEN is a mobile dental app that provides teledentistry services. This is for people who want to check their current dental health or a dental concern. Users can schedule a one on one virtual appointment with a dentist without unnecessary Covid-19 exposure risk.
After Covid-19, we need to reduce non-essential dental visits. People now feel more uncomfortable seeing the dentist but they want to check their dental health.
Provide patients a way to interact with a virtual dentist to reduce Covid-19 exposure
A brief explanation for first-time users. It shows the workflow of how to use the virtual dentist app.
Upload current teeth status via guideline and select an available day and time.
DEN app sends a notification before a virtual call. Talk with a virtual dentist, get prescriptions, and receive specific dental health instructions.
I talked to a dentist, who is working in the Bay Area, about the current dental clinic workflow. It helped me understand the challenges of the current dental industry and how dentists are serving their patients during Covid-19.
At the time that I researched dental apps, there were no teledentistry apps. Therefore, I limited the analysis to medical apps that can make an appointment with only smartphones.
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I created a target audience based on survey and market research. For the interview, I organized learning goals from the target audience.
I conducted user research with an online survey and user interviews for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
I received 34 responses from my online survey on dental habits.
I conducted 9 user interviews with people who are living in the Bay Area. After the interviews, I synthesized and organized the patterns & themes. This process helped me focus on user's needs and pain points.
I have tooth sensitivity these days and want to see a dentist. However, I feel uncomfortable because of Covid-19."
After the initial exam with the dentist, I had to wait another 2 weeks to get my cavities fixed."
I have a tooth problem since 6 months ago. I finally made an appointment for my treatment because I can’t stand it anymore even though Covid-19 still exists."
I visit the dentist 2 times a year for exams and cleanings, but I have not visited in 2020 since I’m worried about Covid-19."
I compared my initial assumptions with what I learned from the users' interviews.
People don’t want to visit the dentist during Covid-19.
Most people used to visit the dentist 2 times a year for checkups and cleanings. Even during Covid-19, people still want to visit a dental office. However, they are afraid of the risk.
Most people’s current teeth status are fine.
Many people have tooth problems such as tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation, and toothache. However, because of Covid-19, they are holding off dental visits.
Treatment will be done the same day of the examination
When patients need dental treatment, they usually have at least 2 visits which are a checkup and a scheduled treatment appointment. It increases the risk of Covid-19 and is a hassle for patients.
People visit dentists for dental health
People visit dentists for esthetic concerns such as whitening and veneers. They used to have these elective visits regularly before Covid-19.
People need to visit dentists even during Covid-19 for prevention and dental concerns.
Checking dental health before coming to the dental office saves time and reduces exposure risks for both the patient and dentist.
People don’t want to wait and take more time off to visit the dentist for treatment.
Make a virtual dental appointment by uploading current teeth status.
After I created wireframes, I did usability testing with people who participated in user interviews. From the feedback, I was able to validate my design.
To evaluate a better user experience and design, I conducted some rounds of usability testing.
Login with Face ID for patient security
Select tooth concern and tap teeth location with symptoms
Upload tooth status by scanning with the guideline
Select virtual appointment date and available time
Den app sends a notification before virtual appointment
Virtual dentist calls patient and checks detailed symptoms and makes notes.
After virtual call, patience can check the doctor's note, prescription, and tooth tips
It was a good opportunity to understand both patient's and dentist's pain points during Covid-19 and create solutions for them. By interviewing a dentist, I am aware of the current dental office workflow and the challenges. This gave me ideas how patients can interact with a virtual dentist.
I'm looking forward to this project helping teledentistry's workflow in 15,000 dental offices all over California.
