Apps for Oral Hygiene in Children 4 to 7 Years: Fun and Effectiveness

Overview

Journal J Clin Exp Dent

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2019 Oct 23

PMID 31636871

Citations 11

Authors

Francesca Zotti

Angelo Pietrobelli

Luciano Malchiodi

Pier-Francesco Nocini

Massimo Albanese

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Nowadays apps in preschool age are largely used in learning improvement. The aim of this work was to test effectiveness of apps in improving oral hygiene in children patients aged from 4 to 7 years and evaluating correlation between parents educational attainment and children oral hygiene.

Material And Methods: 100 patients aged from 4 to 7 years were randomly assigned by an external office in the study group (SG: 32 females, 18 males) and in the control group (CG: 28 females and 22 males). Plaque index (PI) and carious lesions localisation were detected. At baseline all patients and one of the parents were instructed at chair-side about the proper oral hygiene techniques. SG patients were also given app as an aid in oral hygiene practice. Follow-up was 12 months. Measurements were made every three months at chair-side visits. Information about children compliance in oral hygiene and educational level of parents were obtained by questionnaires at t0 and after 12 months.

Results: SG patients showed stronger oral hygiene and PI lower than those in CG. Questionnaire showed higher compliance of SG patients and parents educational level seemed to affect children oral hygiene.

Conclusions: Apps in children allowed achieving encouraging results with improvement of oral hygiene and health. Apps, oral hygiene compliance, children oral hygiene, motivation, educational attainment.

Citing Articles

Effectiveness of Different Oral Health Interventions on Plaque and Gingivitis Incidence in Children Under Seven Years of Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

M Madawana A, Awang Nawi M, Hassan A Cureus. 2024; 16(8):e67395.

PMID: 39310470 PMC: 11414518. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67395.

Oral Health and Caries Prevention: How Tongue Hygiene Helps Maintain Balance of Microbiota and Overall Health in Pediatric Patients.

Mosaico G, Pinna M, Grassi R, Orru G, Scribante A, Maiorani C Children (Basel). 2024; 11(7).

PMID: 39062265 PMC: 11276146. DOI: 10.3390/children11070816.

The Use of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology to Promote Children's Oral Health: A Scoping Review.

Khafid M, Bramantoro T, Hariyani N, Setyowati D, Palupi R, Ariawantara P Eur J Dent. 2024; 18(3):703-711.

PMID: 38198816 PMC: 11290912. DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776116.

Telediagnosis of dental caries: Possible or impossible? A pilot cross-sectional study.

Zotti F, Rosolin L, Simoncelli F, Pappalardo D, Cominziolli A, Zerman N Clin Exp Dent Res. 2022; 8(6):1614-1622.

PMID: 36134446 PMC: 9760157. DOI: 10.1002/cre2.663.

Teledentistry and its applications in paediatric dentistry: A literature review.

Sharma H, Suprabha B, Rao A Pediatr Dent J. 2021; 31(3):203-215.

PMID: 34848924 PMC: 8613071. DOI: 10.1016/j.pdj.2021.08.003.

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