Effect of automated messaging on oral hygiene in adolescent orthodontic patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether automated text messages sent daily to adolescent orthodontic patients improves oral hygiene more than weekly reminders. Materials and Methods: A blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of automated messages on oral hygiene. Subjects were recruited from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics. They were being treated with a variety of fixed full appliances in both arches. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a once-a-week text message group or a daily text message group. There were 52 females and 27 males who were 12 to 17 years of age. Oral hygiene was measured at the beginning of the study and again 8.6 ± 0.9 weeks later. Results: The daily reminder group (N = 42) had significantly greater improvements in oral hygiene compliance than the weekly reminder group (N = 37). The daily score decreases were 48%, 21% and 19% for the bleeding index (BI), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI), respectively. The weekly score decreases were 27%, 14% and 13% for the BI, PI, and GI. There were no sex differences in hygiene changes during the study. The 42% of patients who completed the survey at the end of the study wanted more frequent messages and reported that messages related to decreasing treatment time were the most effective, while those related to oral hygiene were the least effective. Conclusions: Daily text messages are more effective at improving oral hygiene than weekly text messages.

Motivation of Adult Patients with Orthodontic Treatment in Maintaining Oral Hygiene

“…24 A series of other authors recommend the method of sending text messages to motivate patients with orthodontic treatment. [25][26][27][28][29] Alkadhi et al conducted a study in which subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances were randomly assigned to two groups using simple randomization. Group I subjects received a mobile application that sent active oral hygiene reminders three times a day, and Group II subjects received verbal oral hygiene instructions during their routine orthodontic visits.…”

Parental-oriented educational mobile messages to aid in the control of early childhood caries in low socioeconomic children: A randomized controlled trial

“…These results are consistent with the positive influence of educational messages on the engagement and attitudes against ECC in vulnerable groups as described by Borelli et al [ 40 ]. Other mobile educational strategies were also able to improve oral health aspects, although they were usually applied in samples of different ages from developed countries [ 27 , 38 , 41 , 42 ].…”

Can text messages encourage flossing among orthodontic patients?

“…Sample size was previously calculated with a power of at least 0.80 and a significance level of 5%, which required 22 participants in each group (11 girls and 11 boys). 14 The sample comprised 44 patients with a mean age of 14.3 years, with a standard deviation of 2.6 years. 15 All patients were from the same private dental practice and were assigned to two groups (n ¼ 22): group 1 (test) patients who received text messages, and group 2 (control), patients who did not receive text messages.…”

“…All patients were clinically assessed for plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), and halitosis at baseline (T0) and at the end of the study after 30 days (T30). 14 All participants received prophylaxis at baseline; therefore, their PI ¼ 0. In addition, they received instructions on toothbrushing and flossing.…”