Clinical trial NCT06865625: Smartphone App Impact on Oral Hygiene in Orthodontics
Official title: The Effect of Using a Smart Phone App on Oral Hygiene and Brushing Training During Fixed Orthodontic Therapy
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Oral Hygiene Education Methods
Keywords: mobile application
Lead sponsor: Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-03-10
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 12
Maximum age (years): 18
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: OTHER
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: Faculty of Dentistry

Brief summary: This study aimed to compare changes in gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and gingival bleeding index (GBI) values in fixed orthodontic patients. Participants were classified into two groups based on their oral hygiene: those using the Dentabuddy app for oral hygiene improvement and those receiving assistant-led toothbrushing training.

Will the use of the Dentabuddy application lead to differences in oral hygiene levels? Can adolescents effectively utilize the program? Participants will compare the effectiveness of the smartphone application with a group receiving traditional oral hygiene motivation.

Participants:

Will use the program according to the designated time intervals. Will attend their appointments regularly.

Detailed description: The Dentabuddy application is a free oral hygiene improvement tool available for download on the Google Play Store. This study will include 60 patients aged 12-18 years who have been undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for at least six months. Patients will be classified into good, fair, and poor oral hygiene groups based on the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), assessed by the second researcher. Using the Research Randomizer website, participants will be randomly assigned to either the Dentabuddy group or the assistant-supported training group.

Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) values will be recorded at baseline, after one month, and after three months. These data will be compared between groups. Additionally, at the end of three months, participants will be asked to demonstrate the brushing technique they were taught using a bracketed model. Those meeting specific criteria will be classified as having successfully demonstrated the brushing technique.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* no missing teeth,
* no systemic diseases or medications,
* complete permanent dentition,
* ability to maintain personal oral hygiene

Exclusion Criteria:

* dental treatment affecting oral hygiene

Primary outcomes:
measure: Oral hygiene in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment
timeFrame: From August to November 2023
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Konya
country: Turkey
facility: Necmettin Erbakan University
state: Meram
Study officials:
affiliation: Konya Necmettin Erbaka University Faculty of Dentistry
name: Seda Sağoğlu, Research Assistant
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Zotti F, Dalessandri D, Salgarello S, Piancino M, Bonetti S, Visconti L, Paganelli C. Usefulness of an app in improving oral hygiene compliance in adolescent orthodontic patients. Angle Orthod. 2016 Jan;86(1):101-7. doi: 10.2319/010915-19.1. Epub 2015 Mar 23.