Improving Dental Floss Adherence and Gingival Health With SMS and an Innovative Floss Holder

Universidade de Lisboa

Status: Completed

Conditions: Behavior; Gingivitis

Treatments: Device: New Floss Holder - Gum Chucks/SMS; Device: New Floss Holder - Gum Chucks

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03120559

07/2014

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study proposes to evaluate the effects of using a new floss holder (GumChuck) and the use of text messages during supportive periodontal therapy, on the psychological, behavioral and clinical parameters of patients with gingivitis, outlined by evidence and a theory-based framework.

Full description

Despite evidence on the benefits of controlling dental biofilm for preventing gingivitis, patients have difficulty complying. Floss holder devices and SMS may be useful in enhancing both the frequency and effectiveness of dental hygiene behaviors, by increasing patients' motivation and self-regulation efforts, but scarce scientific literature supporting their worth in controlling gingivitis and the underlying psychological processes is currently available.

Enrollment: 144 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Gingivitis BOMP > 0.5
• 20 teeth (minimum 5 per quadrant)
• > 18 years old

Exclusion criteria

• periodontitis (pockets >3),
• smoking,
• orthodontics,
• pregnancy
• removable partial dentures

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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144 participants in 3 patient groups

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

The dental consultation was the same for all the groups. 1. - Examination and diagnosis (15 min). 2. - Motivation, discussion about desired outcomes and treatment needs followed by instrumentation (scaling, polishing) (30 min). 3. - Therapeutic goals, therapeutic strategies, teaching skills (brushing and interproximal control with regular waxed floss at the Control group) and scheduling of the follow-up appointment (15 min). They were properly organized in accordance with the features of each patient, such as their gingival condition, gingivitis perception, habits and expectancies concerning the treatment. The consultation time was 60 minutes and also included specific behavior change techniques, such as reinforcement, goal-setting, and feedback.

NFH - New Floss Holder

Other group

Description:

The dental consultation was the same for all the groups. They were properly organized in accordance with the features of each patient, such as their gingival condition, gingivitis perception, habits and expectancies concerning the treatment. The consultation time was 60 minutes and also included specific behavior change techniques, such as reinforcement, goal-setting, and feedback. New Floss Holder - Gum Chucks

Treatment:

Device: New Floss Holder - Gum Chucks

New Floss Holder and Short Messages

Other group

Description:

The dental consultation was the same for all the groups. They were properly organized in accordance with the features of each patient, such as their gingival condition, gingivitis perception, habits and expectancies concerning the treatment. The Intervention time was 60 minutes and also included behavior change techniques, such as reinforcement, goal-setting, and feedback. Participants in the NFH/SMS group further received a total of 16 messages (SMS). New Floss Holder - Gum Chucks/SMS

Treatment:

Device: New Floss Holder - Gum Chucks/SMS