Effectiveness of a game-based oral health intervention on plaque and gingival scores among schoolchildren: A...

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a game-based oral health education intervention in improving plaque and gingival scores among school children aged 12-15 years in comparison to traditional oral health education methods.

Conducted as a nonrandomized controlled trial over 7 months, the research included eight schools with a total of 162 participants allocated to either the intervention (n = 82) or control (n = 80) group. The intervention group engaged with the game, which integrated oral hygiene principles through visual simulation, while the control group received traditional oral health education using a Dentoform model. Baseline and follow-up clinical data were collected using the plaque index and simplified gingival index. Data compiled were statistically analyzed utilizing SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 26.0 software.

Postintervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in both plaque index (0.89 ± 0.27) and gingival index (1.02 ± 0.23) compared to the control group (1.62 ± 0.30 and 1.72 ± 0.25, respectively; P < 0.001). Within-group improvements in the intervention group were also significant for both indices (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Bivariate analysis revealed that males had significantly higher postintervention scores than females (P = 0.006 for plaque and P = 0.021 for gingival index), and age showed a mild positive correlation (r = 0.21 for plaque and r = 0.18 for gingival index).

This study highlights the potential of gamified interventions to enhance oral health education and engagement among adolescents, suggesting that such innovative approaches could lead to improved oral hygiene practices.