A Mobile App (WhiteTeeth) to Promote Good Oral Health Behavior Among Dutch Adolescents with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: Intervention Mapping Approach (original) (raw)
Related papers
2017
Background: The insertion of fixed orthodontic appliances increases the risk of dental caries, particularly in adolescents. Caries can be prevented by performing good oral-health behavior. To support adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances in promoting oral-health behavior, we therefore developed a mobile-health (mHealth) intervention, the WhiteTeeth application (app). Objective: To describe the systematic development of a theory and evidence-based mHealth intervention, WhiteTeeth app, for promoting oral-health behavior. Methods: For systematic development of the intervention, we used Intervention Mapping (IM), an intervention-planning guide. In this manuscript we present the results of the first five steps of IM: (1) problem analysis, (2) program outcomes and objectives, (3) program design, (4) program production, and (5) program implementation plan. Results: On the basis of the problem analysis (step 1), we identified fluoride use and the control of dental plaque levels (e.g., tooth brushing and proxy brush usage) as target behaviors for preventing caries. After defining specific program objectives based on these target behaviors (step 2), we translated selected theoretical methods, such as prompting selfmonitoring and reinforcing implementation intentions, into practical strategies (step 3). The results of steps 1-3 were used to design a mHealth app, the WhiteTeeth app, which was piloted with the target group for acceptability and usability (step 4). To prepare for the adoption and implementation of the intervention, several meetings with adolescents and dental professionals were organized (step 5). Conclusion: This article is a comprehensive description of the systematic development and design of the WhiteTeeth app. It responds to recent calls for improved reporting on the process of intervention development.
Usefulness of an app in improving oral hygiene compliance in adolescent orthodontic patients
The Angle Orthodontist, 2015
Objective: To evaluate the influence of an app-based approach in a protocol for domestic oral hygiene maintenance in a group of adolescent patients wearing fixed multibracket appliances. Materials and Methods: Eighty adolescent patients scheduled to start an orthodontic multibracket treatment were randomly divided into two groups of 40. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), white spots (WS), and caries presence were recorded in all patients, and they were instructed regarding domestic oral hygiene maintenance on the day of braces application (t 0 ) and every 3 months (t 1 , t 2 , t 3 , t 4 ) during the first year of treatment. Study group (SG) patients were enrolled in a WhatsApp chat room-based competition and instructed to share monthly with the other participants two selfphotographs (selfies) showing their oral hygiene status. Results: SG patient participation in the chat room was regular and active throughout the observation period. At t 2 , t 3 , and t 4 , SG patients had significantly lower values of both PI and GI and a lower incidence of new WS and caries, compared with the control group. Conclusion: Integration of new ''social'' technologies in a standard oral hygiene motivation protocol is effective in improving compliance of adolescent patients and in improving their oral health status during orthodontic multibracket treatment. (Angle Orthod. 0000;00:000-000.)
Apps for oral hygiene in children 4 to 7 years: Fun and effectiveness
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 2019
Background: Nowadays apps in preschool age are largely used in learning improvement. The aim of this work was to test effectiveness of apps in improving oral hygiene in children patients aged from 4 to 7 years and evaluating correlation between parents educational attainment and children oral hygiene. Material and Methods: 100 patients aged from 4 to 7 years were randomly assigned by an external office in the study group (SG: 32 females, 18 males) and in the control group (CG: 28 females and 22 males). Plaque index (PI) and carious lesions localisation were detected. At baseline all patients and one of the parents were instructed at chair-side about the proper oral hygiene techniques. SG patients were also given app as an aid in oral hygiene practice. Follow-up was 12 months. Measurements were made every three months at chair-side visits. Information about children compliance in oral hygiene and educational level of parents were obtained by questionnaires at t0 and after 12 months. Results: SG patients showed stronger oral hygiene and PI lower than those in CG. Questionnaire showed higher compliance of SG patients and parents educational level seemed to affect children oral hygiene. Conclusions: apps in children allowed achieving encouraging results with improvement of oral hygiene and health.
International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2018
Background. Adolescence is a decisive period in the construction of new conduits. Objective: The influence of an App associated with conventional educational methods in adolescents' oral health. Study design. Randomized controlled trial including 291 participants (mean age = 16.1 years) in baseline. The study consisted of four phases. Interventions were evaluated through the knowledge score (KS) and oral indexes (OHI-S/GBI). KS was obtained through five affirmations about periodontal diseases applied in different moments (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test). Phase I included pre-test and oral clinical examination. Sample was randomly divided into two groups: oral (OG) and video orientation (VG) and post-test (phase II). Phase III characterized the formation of groups: OG + App/OG without App/VG + App/VG without App. App consisted of reinforcement messages which was sent during 30 days. Phase IV comprised follow-up test and clinical evaluation. Results. There was no significant difference in KS between OG/VG. Overall, App improved KS (P < 0.001). VG + App showed a significant increase in KS in the follow-up test compared to the post-test (P = 0.046). There was a significant reduction in oral indexes for all methods. Conclusion. App was effective in increasing knowledge, especially associated with video. The different methods were equally effective for a better standard in oral hygiene.
Acceptability of a Mobile Application in Children’s Oral Health Promotion—A Pilot Study
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the acceptability of an oral health-related mobile application developed for young children based on the feedback given by the children and their parents. Another aim was to evaluate the self-reported change in children’s oral health behaviors during a short test period. The application—a virtual pet integrated into a child’s daily routines—aimed to promote oral hygiene and dietary behaviors in children. A total of 36 4–12-year-old voluntary children were given a mobile phone with the installed application. After the 5-week testing period, the feasibility of the application and possible changes in the children’s oral health behaviors were asked using an electronic questionnaire. Most of the children considered the application clear (n = 34), amusing (n = 31), and useful (n = 29). The children’s tooth brushing manners improved both qualitatively and quantitatively: the time used for tooth brushing increased and the children learned how t...
Dental Apps for Smartphones: New Way of Providing Services and Education
Creative Education, 2018
Objective: To review the literature about dental applications (DAPP) for smartphones (SP) and search/describe DAPP available in Portuguese, in 3 operating systems. Methods: Aiming the review, the terms "smartphones", "app" and "dentistry" were searched in the databases Pubmed, Virtual Health Library (BVS) and Google Scholar. Based on the review results, DAPP were searched for teaching and learning (TL), clinical practice (CP), patient orientation (PO) and professional update (PU), in Portuguese, in the Android, iOS and Windows systems. In 3 SP (iPhone 5S with iOS 9.3.5; Samsung Galaxy A5 6 2016 with Android; Microsoft-RM-1109 with Windows Phone 8.1 Update2) the term "dentistry" was inserted in APP searches. Results: Forty-three papers were included in the review and 215 DAPP were selected: 120 on Android, 90 on iOS, and 5 on Windows. DAPP were classified according to the focus in: CP (n = 99
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Nowadays, smartphone applications are widely used in different areas of life, including medical science. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a smartphone application of oral hygiene instructions (OHI) on periodontal health compared to the traditional chairside OHI. All the participants (n = 39) were divided into two groups: control group and test group. Participants of the control group were given verbal OHI and participants of the test group were asked to use a smartphone application to upkeep their oral habits. The gingival index (GI) and Quigley–Hein Turesky modification index (QHTMI) were used for scoring the plaque accumulation at baseline and after one month of the periodontal treatment. A paired t-test and an independent t-test were performed to compare the mean of GI and QHTMI between intra-group and inter-group, respectively. The paired t-test showed significant differences in GI and QHTMI improvement after one month in both groups. Moreover, the independ...
This work is aimed at the development of an electronic quizstyle game, available as an application for smartphones. The game was developed by a multidisciplinary team composed of dentistry and information technology professionals, who created a method of education compatible with the adolescent public, aiming to reduce oral problems arising from the prolonged use of fixed orthodontic appliances. As a result, a game was available free of charge at the smartphone application store, firstly tested by a team of orthodontics and periodontics clinicians, as well as computer professionals, who approved the quality and quantity of information provided to users as well as the usability of the application and clarity in the functions for the target audience. I.
European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry
Purpose Integration of smartphones has overcome barriers in traditional education; this trial aimed at exploring this ubiquitous platform in oral health education. A smartphone application promoting preschooler's oral health was designed and its effectiveness was compared with that of common oral health education delivered in paediatric dental settings. Methods This controlled clinical trial was performed on preschooler-mother dyads referring to the clinic of Tehran School of Dentistry in 2019-2020. Initially, the dyads were randomly partitioned to application intervention or common training groups. The mothers answered an interviewer-administered questionnaire on paediatric dentistry knowledge, attitude and practice regarding children's oral health; modified plaque index (m-PI) and modified gingival index (m-GI) of children were measured. Subsequently, the smartphone application was installed for application intervention group and an educational pamphlet and verbal explanations were given to common training group. In 1-month and 3-month follow-ups, the questionnaires and clinical measurement were redone. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to investigate the effect of training methods. Results Among the participants 51 dyad attended baseline and follow-up assessments. The preschoolers mean age was 4.6 ± 1.2 years and 54.4% were girls. Both trainings improved mothers' knowledge and practice regarding children's oral health and reduced children's m-PI and m-GI (p < 0.050). The 3-month follow-up revealed a better m-GI in application intervention group (p < 0.001). Conclusions Considering the greater improvement of paediatric gingival status in the application intervention group, it appears that smartphone applications may provide a promising tool for more prolonged impacts in children oral health care.