Oral Hygiene Among Portuguese Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT06444490

Last Updated: 2024-06-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-01-30
• Study Completion Date: 2023-05-29

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.

Conditions

Oral Hygiene; Oral Health; Older

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

General Approach (GA)

This approach consisted of a 15-minute session in which the dentist attempted to impart knowledge about oral hygiene in general, highlighting some of the most common situations in this age group, namely the difficulty in achieving correct brushing and flossing, demonstrating the correct technique on a typodont (model), and alerting them to the importance of oral health to general health. Periodontal disease, tooth decay and denture care were also covered in general terms. Participants were given a written explanatory guide to reinforce good oral hygiene habits and an explanation of these diseases or conditions. Appropriate oral hygiene tools were also provided to encourage the expected improvement in oral health. Finally, there was a question-and-answer session to clarify any doubts the participant might have.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

General Approach Instruction

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Oral health instruction focused more broadly on the different topics of oral diseases and oral hygiene care.

Personalised Technique (PT)

This approach began with a self-examination in an extra-oral mirror by the participant to allow the professional to understand participant's perception of oral health, and the use of a plaque-disclosing solution to allow the participant to be more sensitive to the areas where brushing and flossing were not effective. Conditions such as caries lesions, major gingival recessions, areas of greater inflammation, areas where plaque accumulation or even tartar was more visible and further denture care were highlighted. The typodont (model) was then used to demonstrate the correct brushing and flossing technique. The session ended with the participant receiving an explanatory guide, a personalized plan, and more appropriate tools to promote the expected improvement in oral health. A question-and-answer session was used to clarify any doubts. This method took about approximately 20 minutes.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Personalised Technique Instruction

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Oral health instruction based on the specific needs of each participant.

Interventions

General Approach Instruction

Oral health instruction focused more broadly on the different topics of oral diseases and oral hygiene care.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Personalised Technique Instruction

Oral health instruction based on the specific needs of each participant.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Inês C Santos, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Egas Moniz School of Health & Science

Locations

Egas Moniz Dental Clinic

Almada, Caparica, Portugal

Countries

Portugal

References

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.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 14076341 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

PHDICS

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id