Orthodontic patients face unique challenges in maintaining optimal oral hygiene due to the presence of fixed orthodontic appliances, which tend to increase plaque retention, leading to gingival inflammation. Oral Health Literacy (OHL) plays a role in an individual's ability to understand and implement oral hygiene instructions effectively. Mobile oral health interventions involve the use of mobile technology such as smartphones to improve oral hygiene practices and outcomes. Aim of the study: To assess the effectiveness of a mobile oral health intervention using WhatsApp messages as compared to standard oral hygiene instructions on oral hygiene status and OHL level among orthodontic patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
46 messages delivered over a 3-month period (12 weeks) via WhatsApp
Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University
Alexandria, Egypt
RECRUITINGOral Health Literacy
oral health literacy as measured by the Oral Health Literacy - Adult Questionnaire (OHL-AQ). Scores of all questions answered by participants will be added to obtain the overall score of OHL ranging from 0 to 17. Scores are categorized into three groups: Inadequate (0-9), Borderline (10-11), and Adequate (12-17) OHL level
Time frame: Change from baseline to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months
Oral Hygiene
assessed by the Silness-Löe Plaque Index (PI) to provide mean PI score for each tooth ranging from 0 to 3.
Time frame: Change from baseline to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months
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