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Effectiveness of an Oral Health Education Program Using a Smart Toothbrush with Quantitative Light-Induced
Jihyun Lee1, Taeyang Lee1, Hoi-In Jung2,3
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Smart toothbrushes (ST) and Q-ray cam technology effectively educated children on oral hygiene, improving habits. While not statistically superior to manual brushes, STs showed a plaque-decreasing effect and positive user feedback.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Digital Health Technologies
- Oral Hygiene Research
Background:
- Effective remote patient education and oral hygiene management are crucial for children.
- Smart toothbrushes (ST) integrated with mobile apps offer potential for enhanced oral care.
- Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) imaging, like the Q-ray cam, provides objective plaque assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a smart toothbrush (ST) system for remote oral hygiene education and management in children.
- To assess plaque reduction and improvements in oral hygiene habits using STs compared to electric and manual toothbrushes.
- To determine the utility of QLF imaging as a tool for monitoring oral hygiene in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 68 children (aged 6-12 years) assigned to ST, electric toothbrush (ET), or manual toothbrush (MT) groups.
- Oral hygiene was evaluated at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months using the Patient Hygiene Performance (PHP) index and fluorescent plaque index (FPI) via QLF imaging.
- Questionnaires assessed changes in oral health behaviors, attitudes, and user willingness to continue ST use.
Main Results:
- The ST group showed a decrease in PHP index (0.24) and simple hygiene score (1.40) after 3 months, though not statistically significant compared to ET and MT groups.
- A majority of ST users reported improved oral hygiene and willingness for continuous use.
- All participants demonstrated improved brushing times and attitudes towards oral hygiene following QLF-guided education.
Conclusions:
- Smart toothbrushes provide valuable dental health education and a plaque-reducing effect in children aged 6-12.
- The QLF device (Q-ray cam) is a useful tool for maintaining and monitoring good oral hygiene in children.
- While not statistically superior in all metrics, STs show promise for improving pediatric oral hygiene behaviors and attitudes.
