Effectiveness of an Oral Health Literacy Intervention on Oral Health Behaviors and Plaque Index in Orthodontic Patients

Srinakharinwirot University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Dental Plaque; Periodontal Diseases; Oral Health Behavior Change

Treatments: Behavioral: OHL program; Behavioral: Traditional program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06666374

005/2566

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel psychologic-based oral health instruction program (OHL program) by comparing oral health behaviors (OHB) and plaque index (PI) scores between intervention and control groups at three key time points-pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up-enabling a comprehensive assessment of the intervention's impact and and persistence over time. The study hypothesizes that (1) the OHL program will lead to greater improvements in OHL compared to a traditional control group and (2) these effects will be sustained through the follow-up period.

Participants in the intervention group received the OHL program, while those in the control group received traditional oral hygiene instruction. Both groups had data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-week follow-up.

Full description

The outcomes were oral health behavior (OHB) and plaque index (PI), compared at three time points: baseline (initial), post-intervention (final), and at a 3-week follow-up. Additionally, as a manipulation check, oral health literacy (OHL) levels were assessed at all three intervals.

Demographic information, OHL, and OHB were measured using standardized questionnaires from previous research. The 31-item OHL scale assessed five elements: 1) access, 2) understanding, 3) evaluation, 4) application, and 5) communication of oral health information and services. A 14-item scale evaluated OHB across three domains: 1) oral hygiene practices, 2) dietary choices, and 3) utilization of dental services.

In addition, clinical assessments of plaque were conducted using the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI, 1964). Plaque was evaluated on four surfaces of each tooth (mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual) using a WHO probe. Scores ranged from 0 to 3, reflecting the absence to a large amount of plaque accumulation, based on their established criteria. A single oral examiner recorded the plaque scores for each surface, and the average score for each tooth was calculated. The total score was then summed and divided by the total number of teeth examined, providing an overall plaque index for each individual. There were no outcome changes after trial commencement.

Enrollment: 78 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 44 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• participants undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, free from non-communicable chronic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disease), capable of reading, writing, and providing informed consent, and willing to participate in the oral health program.

Exclusion criteria

• reluctance to provide health information, inability to complete assessments, or withdrawal from the program at any stage.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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78 participants in 2 patient groups

OHL Program

Experimental group

Description:

This program used OHL as its core structure and incorporated elements of experiential learning and self-efficacy to enhance patient engagement and understanding.

Treatment:

Behavioral: OHL program

Traditional program

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients acquired traditional oral health instruction from another dental professional, which primarily focused on providing information without the OHL components, self-efficacy strategies, or the interactive elements of the intervention program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Traditional program