Early this month, I received an email from Mary who is working for Fraser regarding this app. In her email, she mentioned that this app was designed for children between the developmental ages of 3 and 10 and was created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families.
I decided to review it as I would like Ben to see for himself how children take care of their oral hygiene. Anyway, my review as below is based on the walkthrough of how to have a good oral care at home...
* Title: My Healthy Smile
* Price: $4.99
* Category: Health & Fitness
* Released: 02 October 2010
* Current Version: 1.0
* Size: 21.9 MB
* Language: English
* Developer: Fraser
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Description from the product page:
* A social scripts app designed for children developmentally between the ages of 3 and 10 to teach good oral health and to make dental visits more comfortable.
* Especially good for children with autism or developmental disabilities; could be used by adults with developmental disabilities.
* Offers 11 audio and visual social scripts in a mobile format that is easy to use in everyday situations.
* Topics include: having your teeth cleaned, taking X-rays, getting fillings, losing a tooth, brushing, and healthy eating.
* Created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families.
* Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. requires iOS 3.0 or later.
More info from the iTunes Store product page:
"The My Healthy Smile app was developed through a grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota to teach children about good oral health and to ease anxieties around dental visits. This app offers 11 audio & visual social scripts to show children what to expect at the dentist and how to have good oral care at home. Topics include: having your teeth cleaned, taking X-rays and getting fillings, losing a tooth, brushing and healthy eating. “My Healthy Smile” is designed for children between the developmental ages of 3 and 10. The use of social scripts works especially well for children who have autism or developmental disabilities. Created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families."
I have mentioned before how good an app to me is based on how often Ben goes back to playing and/or using it. And as for this app, oh well, Ben listens to it almost every day! Whenever I asked him what he wants to play on the iPad, he goes 'Ceh-ceh (sister in Chinese) brush teeth!'
What's good?
* I like that the display does not get affected or blurred even when I use the double size setting (2X) for my iPad as the app was developed for iPhone use.
* The app is very easy to use, you can either click at the 'Dentist Office' (for walkthrough on what to expect at the dentist) or 'At Home' (for walkthrough on how to have good oral care at home)
* I like that the visual walkthrough features children around Ben's age as he can relate himself to the example shown.
Ben concentrating on the app...
Room for Improvements?
* I would prefer if the narrator speaks slower in the 'Read to Me' mode as I realised my toddler started being confused when the pictures changes when he was still trying to understand what he heard.
* I would prefer if the Home icon goes back to the available topics under 'Dentist Office' or 'At Home' instead of the current setting which goes straight to the main screen.
Summary:
Although this app was especially good for children with autism or developmental disabilities, that does not mean we should avoid trying out this app.
I personally feel that this app is very helpful and educational regardless of the child's condition. Ben has been more eager to practise his brushing and although we have yet to try the dentist walkthrough (he is afraid of doctors), I believe that in time, Ben will be more receptive to it.
You can purchase the "My Healthy Smile" app from the iTunes App Store.
I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code by the sponsor to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"
