NCT06865625

Smartphone App Impact on Oral Hygiene in Orthodontics

The Effect of Using a Smart Phone App on Oral Hygiene and Brushing Training During Fixed Orthodontic Therapy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Oral Hygiene Education Methods

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	mobile application	In this study, unlike similar studies in the literature, participants were grouped based on their oral hygiene status.
BEHAVIORAL	traditional oral hygiene motivation	The group demonstrating the brushing technique on a braces model

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-08-03
• Primary completion: 2023-09-03
• Completion: 2023-11-03
• First posted: 2025-03-10
• Last updated: 2025-03-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)