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08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
How to influence patient oral hygiene behavior effectively
J E Clarkson1, L Young, C R Ramsay
1DHSRU, University of Dundee, MacKenzie Building, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee, DD2 4BF UK.
Journal of Dental Research
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Improving oral hygiene is key to preventing dental disease. An evidence-based intervention, using psychological theory, significantly enhanced patient oral hygiene behaviors and outcomes, with variations noted between trial designs.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Dental diseases are often preventable with improved oral hygiene practices.
- Significant healthcare resources are allocated to managing preventable dental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an evidence-based intervention, grounded in psychological theory, aimed at improving patient oral hygiene behavior.
- To investigate the influence of trial methodology (patient-level vs. cluster-level randomization) on intervention outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Two independent trials were conducted: a patient-randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a cluster RCT involving dentists.
- The study included 87 dental practices and 778 patients.
- Intervention effects were analyzed controlling for baseline differences.
Main Results:
- Pooled results indicated that the intervention improved patient oral hygiene behaviors (timing, duration, method), cognitive aspects (confidence, planning), and clinical measures (plaque, gingival bleeding).
- Clinical outcomes demonstrated statistically significant improvement exclusively within the cluster RCT.
- Differences in outcomes between the patient RCT and cluster RCT suggest a potential impact of trial design.
Conclusions:
- An evidence-based, psychologically framed intervention can effectively enhance oral hygiene behaviors and related outcomes.
- The design of the clinical trial (patient vs. cluster randomization) may significantly influence the observed clinical effectiveness of interventions.
- Further research is warranted to explore the methodological impact on trial results in oral hygiene interventions.
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