Triggered screen restriction app for improving oral health habits
An innovative app leveraging a triggered screen restriction framework to enhance oral health habits by encouraging consistent brushing through social media access as a reward. Validated to improve user compliance using machine vision and adaptive notifications.
Overview
This revolutionary app leverages a triggered screen restriction framework to foster consistent oral health habits. By using the addictive nature of social media, the app encourages users to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Access to certain social media apps is restricted until the user completes the brushing activity, verified by a machine vision model. This novel approach combines positive reinforcement with adaptive learning to optimize habit formation.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Triggered screen restriction framework: Limits social media access to motivate brushing.
- Machine vision verification: Ensures accurate tracking of brushing activity.
- Adaptive notifications: Learns and adjusts prompts based on user behavior to enhance compliance.
The framework adapts to user preferences, learning optimal times for behavior completion and making adjustments as necessary. Modifications can be made to the gamification, reinforcement systems, and machine vision algorithm to improve effectiveness.
Technology readiness level
The app is currently at TRL 3, with the framework validated in encouraging physical fitness behaviors. Future validation studies will tailor the app to oral health, ensuring both behavioral effectiveness and machine vision accuracy. Following revisions, the app will be available for beta testing to refine features for a broader audience.
About Iowa State University
Iowa State University is a large, comprehensive public land‑grant research university based in Ames, known for combining fundamental discovery with translational, industry‑relevant work. Companies collaborate through a research and technology park that co‑locates corporate R&D with faculty labs and startups, creating steady talent pipelines. Pilot‑scale facilities, field test sites, and a statewide extension network support prototyping, validation, and deployment with partners across the region. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including awards from NSF, USDA, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office and affiliated research foundation streamline IP, licensing, and startup formation, with incubator space on site.
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