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Improving oral health communication in paediatric dentistry using intraoral scanners: a multicentre pilot study
S Schick1, M A Schlenz2, N Schulz-Weidner3
1Clinic for Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. simona.schick@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Insights
Intraoral scanners (IOS) significantly improved children's and caregivers' understanding of oral health compared to traditional verbal instructions. This technology enhanced communication, especially for younger pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric Dentistry
- Health Communication
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Effective oral health communication is crucial for paediatric patients and caregivers.
- Conventional verbal oral health instructions (OHI) may have limitations in conveying complex clinical findings.
- Intraoral scanners (IOS) offer a novel visual approach to patient education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if intraoral scanners (IOS) improve oral health competence in children and caregivers compared to verbal OHI.
- To assess the comprehension of clinical findings using IOS visualization in paediatric dental consultations.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre pilot study involving 60 children (6-14 years) and caregivers, randomized into control (verbal OHI) and intervention (verbal OHI + IOS) groups.
- Standardized examinations and OHI delivered by calibrated dentists; IOS 3D models used for explanations in the intervention group.
- Age-adapted questionnaires assessed comprehension; visual analogue scale (VAS) evaluated patient experience with IOS.
Main Results:
- The IOS group showed significantly higher comprehension scores for both children (p=0.019) and caregivers (p=0.008).
- Benefits were most pronounced in children aged 6-11 years.
- IOS visualization was perceived positively: "fun" (83.8%), "informative" (81.3%), "enjoyable" (88.6%), with high dentist explanation clarity (94.8%).
Conclusions:
- Intraoral scanners enhance communication and understanding of oral health findings in paediatric dentistry.
- IOS technology is particularly beneficial for improving engagement and comprehension in younger children and their caregivers.
- This visual aid represents a promising tool for patient education in paediatric dental settings.
Purpose:
This multicentre pilot study examined whether intraoral scanners (IOS) enhance oral health competence in paediatric patients and their caregivers compared with conventional verbal oral health instructions (OHI).
Methods:
Sixty children aged 6-14 years and their caregivers from three European university centres were randomly assigned to a control group (verbal OHI) or an intervention group (verbal OHI + IOS visualisation). Children were stratified into age groups: (6-8, 9-11, 12-14 years). Calibrated dentists performed standardised examinations and delivered OHI. In the intervention arm, an IOS scan was obtained and the 3D model was used to explain individual clinical findings. Comprehension of clinical findings was assessed after the consultation using age-adapted questionnaires. Children in the intervention group additionally rated their IOS experience using a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100%). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Results:
Children in the intervention group achieved higher comprehension scores (4.40 ± 1.61 vs. 3.33 ± 1.81; p = 0.019). Caregivers also scored higher in the intervention group (5.03 ± 1.25 vs. 4.10 ± 1.37; p = 0.008). Benefits were greatest in children aged 6-11 years. VAS ratings indicated acceptance: scanning was perceived as "fun" (83.8%), "informative" (81.3%) and "enjoyable to watch" (88.6%). Tip size was rated appropriate (68.7%), whilst agreement with "boring" (25.9%) and "painful" (24.1%) was low. The dentist's explanation was rated as clear (94.8%).
Conclusion:
IOS improved communication and understanding of oral health findings in paediatric dentistry, particularly amongst younger children and their caregivers.
