Clinical trial NCT06444490: Oral Hygiene Among Portuguese Older Adults
Official title: Comparison of Oral Hygiene Instruction Methods on Oral Hygiene Behaviour Among Older Adults
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Oral Hygiene
Oral Health
Older
Keywords: oral hygiene
oral health
health motivation
toothbrushing
dental devices
self-perception
Lead sponsor: Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-06-05
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 65
Standard ages: OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The goal of this clinical trial was to compare two different oral hygiene instruction methods on oral hygiene behavior in older adults. We also wanted to evaluate the self-perception of oral health changes with each instruction method. The main questions we aim to answer were:

* Which method has better results in changing oral hygiene habits?
* Which method has better results in reducing bacterial plaque?

Participants:

* Completed a questionnaire about socioeconomic aspects and oral hygiene habits;
* Were examined to assess their oral hygiene status;
* Completed a questionnaire about self-perception of oral health;
* Received oral hygiene instruction (depending on the group: Generalised Approach or Personalised Technique).

Two months later, they were assessed again on oral hygiene habits, oral hygiene status, and self-perception of oral health.

Detailed description: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two different oral hygiene instruction methods on oral hygiene behavior in older adults. Secondly, we intended to assess the self-perception of oral health changes with each instruction method.

This study was a clinical trial that included a convenience sample of 60 participants attending a university dental hospital (Egas Moniz Dental Clinic, Almada, Portugal).

Data were collected in two phases: The first phase (baseline) consisted of three parts: a questionnaire focusing on the participant's socioeconomic data and oral hygiene behaviors, clinical records obtained through an intraoral examination, using the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), and oral hygiene instruction.

For the oral hygiene instruction, the sample was divided into two groups of 30 participants (n=30) each group, exposed to different methods of professional education. The first one, identified as "General Approach" (GA), focuses more broadly on the different topics of oral diseases and oral hygiene care. The second group, identified as "Personalised Technique" (PT), was based on the specific needs of each participant.

After two months, to establish a follow-up session, the self-reported questionnaire on oral hygiene behavior and self-perceived oral health was administered again and the same clinical records on OHI-S were collected.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Being able to speak and understand Portuguese;
* Being able to understand and sign an informed consent form;
* Being literate and able to comply with the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Being edentulous;
* Being institutionalized;
* Having disabilities such as blindness, deafness, or dementia.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Brushing frequency
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Interdental devices usage
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Denture hygiene
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Denture care
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Oral Hygiene Clinical Indicator
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Treatment needs (oral clinical observation)
timeFrame: 2 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Self-perception of oral health
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Xerostomia
timeFrame: 2 months
measure: Perceived treatment needs
timeFrame: 2 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Almada
country: Portugal
facility: Egas Moniz Dental Clinic
state: Caparica
Study officials:
affiliation: Egas Moniz School of Health & Science
name: Inês C Santos, MSc
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: GREENE JC, VERMILLION JR. THE SIMPLIFIED ORAL HYGIENE INDEX. J Am Dent Assoc. 1964 Jan;68:7-13. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1964.0034. No abstract available.