Oral Hygiene Among Portuguese Older Adults

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial was to compare two different oral hygiene instruction methods on oral hygiene behavior in older adults. We also wanted to evaluate the self-perception of oral health changes with each instruction method. The main questions we aim to answer were: * Which method has better results in changing oral hygiene habits? * Which method has better results in reducing bacterial plaque? Participants: * Completed a questionnaire about socioeconomic aspects and oral hygiene habits; * Were examined to assess their oral hygiene status; * Completed a questionnaire about self-perception of oral health; * Received oral hygiene instruction (depending on the group: Generalised Approach or Personalised Technique). Two months later, they were assessed again on oral hygiene habits, oral hygiene status, and self-perception of oral health.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two different oral hygiene instruction methods on oral hygiene behavior in older adults. Secondly, we intended to assess the self-perception of oral health changes with each instruction method. This study was a clinical trial that included a convenience sample of 60 participants attending a university dental hospital (Egas Moniz Dental Clinic, Almada, Portugal). Data were collected in two phases: The first phase (baseline) consisted of three parts: a questionnaire focusing on the participant's socioeconomic data and oral hygiene behaviors, clinical records obtained through an intraoral examination, using the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), and oral hygiene instruction. For the oral hygiene instruction, the sample was divided into two groups of 30 participants (n=30) each group, exposed to different methods of professional education. The first one, identified as "General Approach" (GA), focuses more broadly on the different topics of oral diseases and oral hygiene care. The second group, identified as "Personalised Technique" (PT), was based on the specific needs of each participant. After two months, to establish a follow-up session, the self-reported questionnaire on oral hygiene behavior and self-perceived oral health was administered again and the same clinical records on OHI-S were collected.