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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04042389

Oral Hygiene Reminders in Orthodontic Patients

Objective: To determine the effect of WhatsApp and Email reminders on oral hygiene compliance of orthodontic patients.

Methods: A Randomized, parallel group, double blinded study was conducted on 54 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at MAHSA University. They were randomized to 3 groups, namely WhatsApp (W) group, Email (E) group and Control (C) group with 18 subjects in each group. Group (W) and Group (E) received oral health messages once a week through WhatsApp and E-mail reminders respectively, while Group (C) did not receive any reminders. Plaque was measured at baseline (T0), after 4 weeks (T1), and after 8 weeks (T2). For each subject, two intraoral photographs were taken after application of plaque disclosing agent; and the area covered by plaque was measured on 12, 13, 43, 22, 23 and 33 teeth by planimetry.

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Key information

Conditions

Compliance, Treatment Behavior Health Behavior Patient Acceptance of Health Care Patient Compliance Treatment Adherence and Compliance

Age range

15 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

MAHSA UNivesity

Jenjarum, Selangor, 42610, Malaysia

About this study

Fifty-four patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were recruited from the dental clinic of MAHSA University between Jan 2018 to April 2018. Voluntary written informed consent was obtained from all the subjects before the start of the study. They were randomly assigned into 3 groups namely WhatsApp (W) group, Email (E) group and Control (C) group with 18 subjects in each group. Oral hygiene messages through WhatsApp and Email were sent once a week for 8 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients having fixed maxillary and mandibular orthodontic appliances with 0.022 AO conventional metal brackets,
  • Aged ≥ 15 years,
  • Undergone 3 months of orthodontic treatment,
  • No significant medical or dental history
  • Have access to cellular telephone and are online daily

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing single arch treatment
  • Missing maxillary lateral incisor, maxillary canine and mandibular canine
  • Patients' orthodontic treatment duration < 3 months and > 4 months.

Treatment and study plan

WhatsApp reminder

Behavioral

The WhatsApp group received oral health messages once a week for four weeks (totaling 4 messages) as a reminder to practice good oral hygiene

The reminder included an image reminding them to maintain their oral hygiene.

Other names: Reminders

Email reminder

Behavioral

The Email group received oral health messages once a week for four weeks (totaling 4 messages) as a reminder to practice good oral hygiene

The reminder included an image reminding them to maintain their oral hygiene.

Other names: Reminder

Control

Behavioral

No messages sent.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in plaque from baseline to 4 weeks

    Time frame: baseline (T0) to end of 4 weeks (T1)

    Plaque disclosing solution was applied to the pre-selected teeth (12,13,43, 22, 23, 33) followed by measurement of plaque using planimetry. All photographs were taken using a Canon Electro-Optical System (EOS) 550D (camera specifications). Plaque was analyzed using Image J software. Change in plaque score is assessed from baseline to 4 weeks in all the three groups.

    In the photo, region of interest targeted by the study was manually outlined using "Polygon selection tool", the total pixel present in this region is calculated by tracing tool. The pixel of the plaque area is determined by adjusting the color threshold to desirable range of value. The plaque sore was calculated in the form of percent covering tooth structure and the value of plaque on each tooth was determined and mean plaque was calculated.

  2. Change in plaque from baseline to 8 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) to end of 8 weeks (T2)

    Plaque disclosing solution was applied to the pre-selected teeth (12,13,43, 22, 23, 33) followed by measurement of plaque using planimetry. All photographs were taken using a Canon EOS 550D (camera specifications). Plaque was analyzed using Image J software. Change in plaque score is assessed from baseline to 8 weeks in all the three groups.

    In the photo, region of interest targeted by the study was manually outlined using "Polygon selection tool", the total pixel present in this region is calculated by tracing tool. The pixel of the plaque area is determined by adjusting the color threshold to desirable range of value. The plaque sore was calculated in the form of percent covering tooth structure and the value of plaque on each tooth was determined and mean plaque was calculated.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mahsa University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Influence of WhatsApp and Electronic Mail Reminders on Oral Hygiene Compliance of Orthodontic Patients Using Planimetry

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Aug 1, 2019
Registry last updated
Aug 1, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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