Abstract

Purpose: This randomized controlled study quantitatively investigated whether providing oral hygiene instruction (OHI), through texting images and videos, affected oral hygiene status in orthodontic patients.

Materials and Methods: Sixty patients between 13-21 years of age, with visible plaque and used a smart phone, were recruited from the Graduate Orthodontic Clinic at Loma Linda University. Once recruited (T1), an initial survey was completed, MBI and OPI were recorded, and OHI was given. Subjects were randomly distributed into either a control or experimental group. The experimental group received OHI texts weekly, whereas the control group did not. After 3 months (T2), MBI and OPI were recorded again, and a final survey was completed. Differences between T1 and T2 scores were calculated and compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests. The responses to the survey questions were analyzed using the Chi- Square and Fisher's Exact tests (α=0.05).

Results: After 3 months, a significant improvement in OPI was observed for the experimental group (P = .001), however no difference between the groups was observed for MBI (P = .081). The survey responses indicated improvement in the number of times subjects floss per week (P = .025) and increased knowledge of white spot lesions (P = .009) for the experimental group. At T2, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the remaining survey questions. The majority of the experimental group subjects recalled viewing the texts and reported making use of the information at least once in a while. They also reported doing better with brushing, flossing, taking general care of their teeth, and feeling better about their oral hygiene.

Conclusions: Within the confine of this study, thoroughly providing OHI improved oral hygiene in orthodontic patients. Weekly texts further improved oral hygiene status by decreasing plaque accumulation, although the level of gingival inflammation remained the same. This reinforcement also developed oral hygiene habits particularly with flossing and heightened the awareness of white spot lesions. Positive feedback was received from these subjects as most made use of the OHI information and expressed better attitudes towards their own oral hygiene habits and health.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Department

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

School

School of Dentistry

First Advisor

Kitichai Rungcharassaeng

Second Advisor

Joseph Caruso

Third Advisor

Yoon Jeong Kim

Degree Name

Master of Science in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (MSODO)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2019

Date (Title Page)

9-2019

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Oral Hygiene -- education; Text Messaging

Type

Thesis

Page Count

xi, 41 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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