Clinical trial NCT06811688: Effectiveness of Mobile Phone Reminder Applications in Improving Oral Hygiene Compliance of Orthodontic Patients
Official title: The Effectiveness of Mobile Phone Reminders in the Improvement of Oral Hygiene in Patients With Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Oral Hygiene
Keywords: Active reminders
Mobile application
Oral hygiene
Orthodontic fixed appliance
Lead sponsor: Umm Al-Qura University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-02-06
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: The participants were asked to download two mobile applications: Brushout and Brush teeth reminder applications. These applications were adjusted to send notifications twice daily in the morning and night as reminders to practice oral hygiene.
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The aim of this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was to investigate the effectiveness of mobile application as an active reminder for improving oral hygiene compliance of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment using fixed orthodontic appliances.

Detailed description: eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either control or intervention group. Group l (control): Only verbal instructions on oral hygiene including brushing using soft bristles, brushing for 2 minutes, flossing once daily, the use of fluoridated oral rinse, orthodontic appliance care and avoiding hard and sticky food.These instructions were given at the baseline visit. Then, these subjects were re-examined after 4 weeks. Group II (intervention): the subjects received the same oral hygiene instructions that were described to the control group with the addition of downloading two mobile applications: Brushout app and Brush teeth reminder app. These applications were adjusted to send notifications twice daily in the morning and night as reminders to practice oral hygiene. In addition, oral hygiene practice was tracked by a link that was sent electronically and checked by study researchers as a compliance protocol. Like the control group, subjects were re-examined after 4 weeks.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

- 1- Subjects having orthodontic treatment using fixed appliances

2- The use of a smartphone to download Brushout app and Brush teeth reminder app

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects having orthodontic treatment using removable appliances

Primary outcomes:
measure: Plaque Index
timeFrame: At baseline and 4 weeks
measure: Gingival index
timeFrame: At baseline and 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Mecca
country: Saudi Arabia
facility: Umm Al-Qura University, Dental Teaching Hospital
Study officials:
affiliation: Umm AlQura University
name: Shahinaz N Sembawa, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Jepsen K, Sculean A, Jepsen S. Complications and treatment errors involving periodontal tissues related to orthodontic therapy. Periodontol 2000. 2023 Jun;92(1):135-158. doi: 10.1111/prd.12484. Epub 2023 Mar 15.
citation: Santonocito S, Polizzi A. Oral Microbiota Changes during Orthodontic Treatment. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2022 Jul 27;14(3):19. doi: 10.31083/j.fbe1403019.
citation: Patil S, Hedad IA, Jafer AA, Abutaleb GK, Arishi TM, Arishi SA, Arishi HA, Jafer M, Gujar AN, Khan S, Raj AT. Effectiveness of mobile phone applications in improving oral hygiene care and outcomes in orthodontic patients. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2021 Jan-Mar;11(1):26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2020.11.004. Epub 2020 Nov 17.
citation: Pascadopoli M, Zampetti P, Nardi MG, Pellegrini M, Scribante A. Smartphone Applications in Dentistry: A Scoping Review. Dent J (Basel). 2023 Oct 20;11(10):243. doi: 10.3390/dj11100243.