Oral Hygiene Among Portuguese Older Adults

Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL

Status: Completed

Conditions: Older; Oral Hygiene; Oral Health

Treatments: Behavioral: Personalised Technique Instruction; Behavioral: General Approach Instruction

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06444490

PHDICS

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being able to speak and understand Portuguese;
• Being able to understand and sign an informed consent form;
• Being literate and able to comply with the study protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Being edentulous;
• Being institutionalized;
• Having disabilities such as blindness, deafness, or dementia.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

General Approach (GA)

Active Comparator group

Description:

This approach consisted of a 15-minute session in which the dentist attempted to impart knowledge about oral hygiene in general, highlighting some of the most common situations in this age group, namely the difficulty in achieving correct brushing and flossing, demonstrating the correct technique on a typodont (model), and alerting them to the importance of oral health to general health. Periodontal disease, tooth decay and denture care were also covered in general terms. Participants were given a written explanatory guide to reinforce good oral hygiene habits and an explanation of these diseases or conditions. Appropriate oral hygiene tools were also provided to encourage the expected improvement in oral health. Finally, there was a question-and-answer session to clarify any doubts the participant might have.

Treatment:

Behavioral: General Approach Instruction

Personalised Technique (PT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

This approach began with a self-examination in an extra-oral mirror by the participant to allow the professional to understand participant's perception of oral health, and the use of a plaque-disclosing solution to allow the participant to be more sensitive to the areas where brushing and flossing were not effective. Conditions such as caries lesions, major gingival recessions, areas of greater inflammation, areas where plaque accumulation or even tartar was more visible and further denture care were highlighted. The typodont (model) was then used to demonstrate the correct brushing and flossing technique. The session ended with the participant receiving an explanatory guide, a personalized plan, and more appropriate tools to promote the expected improvement in oral health. A question-and-answer session was used to clarify any doubts. This method took about approximately 20 minutes.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Personalised Technique Instruction