Improving adolescents' periodontal health: evaluation of a mobile oral health App associated with conventional educational methods: a cluster randomized trial.

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.