Comparison of Oral Hygiene Orientation Through Teledentistry and Face-To-Face Tools in Randomized Clinical Trials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v11.642Keywords:
COVID-19, health education, oral hygiene, pediatric dentistry, teledentistryAbstract
Background: Teledentistry has been utilized in public dental health to reduce waiting times and transportation costs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became an essential tool to minimize disruptions in dental care and promote oral health education remotely.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual platforms and face-to-face consultations in improving children's oral hygiene.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 children, and their guardians, aged 6 to 10 years. Three groups based on the oral hygiene guidance were taken: 1) WhatsApp, 2) Video for Health platform, and 3) face-to-face. Oral hygiene was evaluated using the visible plaque index, brushing time, brushing method, flossing, toothpaste use, and adult supervision. Statistical analysis used Mann‒Whitney, Spearman's, Wilcoxon, Kruskal‒Wallis, and Fisher's Exact tests.
Results: The children’s mean age was 7.8 ± 1.5 years. All methods significantly reduced the plaque index and improved brushing habits (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the remote and face-to-face methods (p > 0.05). Guardians' involvement contributed to positive outcomes in children's oral health.
Conclusions: The study suggests that teledentistry is as effective as face-to-face consultations in improving children's oral hygiene and can be a viable alternative for remote oral health education.
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