Using mHealth to promote parents’ brushing of preschool children’s teeth: a protocol for a randomized factorial trial using the Multi-phase Optimization Strategy (MOST)

Background Early childhood caries is a highly prevalent disease affecting young children. Parental brushing of children’s teeth is recommended during preschool years. Interventions to promote parental brushing of children’s teeth are assessed as a package in randomized clinical trials and the efficacy of separate components is not known. Methods and analysis The aim of this study is to develop an optimized behavior modification intervention to increase parents’ brushing of their pre-school children’s teeth using the multi-phase optimization strategy (MOST) guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Behavior change will be assessed by the percent reduction in children’s dental plaque index after 6 months and parents reporting of toothbrushing frequency. Two phases of MOST will be carried out. First, the preparation phase comprises the development of a conceptual framework, identifying candidate components, conducting a feasibility pilot study to assess the acceptability and the design features of three intervention components (motivational interviewing (MI), and two mobile health (mHealth) components: oral health promotion messages and storytelling videos delivered using WhatsApp messenger) in addition to setting an optimization objective. Second, the optimization phase constitutes a factorial trial assessing the three intervention components and developing the intervention by selecting the most effective components within the optimization constraint. Each component will be set at two levels: yes (the intervention is applied) and no (the intervention is not applied). A linear regression model will be used to assess the effect of the intervention components on the percent reduction in dental plaque index (primary outcome measure). The secondary outcome measure is the change in the frequency of parents’ brushing of the child’s teeth. The combination of components making up the new optimized intervention will be selected. Discussion This will be the first study to apply the MOST framework in the field of dentistry. The results of this study can guide the development of an optimized behavior modification interventions using mHealth and MI. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04923581, Registered 11 June 2021.

Analysis of Cosmetic Effect of Nanocomposite Resin on Anterior Teeth

The problems of anterior teeth include dental plaque, dental caries, and fracture, which are usually treated with common composite resin clinically. Although good repair effect can be achieved, patients are prone to anterior tooth sensitivity after surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the cosmetic effect of nanocomposite resin on anterior teeth. Up to 176 patients (176 teeth) undergoing anterior dental cosmetic restoration in our hospital were selected and assigned to the LR group ( n = 88 ) and the NR group ( n = 88 ) according to patients’ voluntary choice of prosthetic materials. The LR group was cured with light-cured composite resin, while the NR group was cured with nanocomposite resin. By comparing the related indexes of patients in the two groups, it was discovered that in the NR group, the excellent and good rate and patients’ evaluation of the repair effect were higher, while the periodontal attachment, gingival index, dental plaque index, VAS score, and the incidence of tooth sensitivity were lower, all P < 0.05 . The results indicated that the nanocomposite resin had significant cosmetic effect on anterior teeth and had application value.

Using mHealth to Promote Mothers’ Brushing of Preschool Children’s Teeth: A Study Protocol using the Multi-phase Optimization Strategy (MOST)

BackgroundEarly childhood caries is a highly prevalent disease affecting young children. Parental brushing of children’s teeth is recommended during preschool years. Interventions to promote parental brushing of children’s teeth are assessed as a package in randomized clinical trials and the efficacy of separate components is not known. Methods and AnalysisThe aim of this study is to develop an optimized behavior modification intervention to increase mothers’ brushing of their pre-school children’s teeth using the Multi-phase Optimization Strategy (MOST) guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Behavior change will be assessed by the percent reduction in children’s dental plaque index after 6 months and mothers’ reporting of toothbrushing frequency. Two phases of MOST will be carried out. First: the preparation phase comprises the development of a conceptual framework, identifying candidate components, conducting a feasibility pilot study to assess the acceptability and the design features of three intervention components (motivational interviewing (MI), and two mobile health (mHealth) components: oral health promotion messages, and storytelling videos delivered using WhatsApp messenger) in addition to setting an optimization objective. Second: the optimization phase constitutes a factorial trial assessing the three intervention components and developing the intervention by selecting the most effective components within the optimization constraint. Each component will be set at two levels: yes (the intervention is applied) and no (the intervention is not applied). A linear regression model will be used to assess the effect of the intervention components on the percent reduction in dental plaque index (primary outcome measure). The secondary outcome measure is the change in the frequency of mother’s brushing of the child’s teeth. The combination of components making up the new optimized intervention will be selected.DiscussionThis will be the first study to apply the MOST framework in the field of dentistry. The results of this study can guide to the development of an optimized behaviour modification interventions using mHealth and MI. Trial Registration This trial was registered on June 11th, 2021, in Clinical trials.gov. Registration number: NCT04923581.

Comparison of Herbal and Non-Herbal Dental Pasta Effectiveness Towards Children's Dental Plaque Index

Dental plaque is formed from biofilm that coats the surface of the teeth and is an indicator of dental and oral hygiene. One way to control plaque is by brushing your teeth. Herbal toothpaste is expected to inhibit plaque growth because it is related to the ability of herbal ingredients to inhibit microbial growth. This study aims to determine the comparison of the effectiveness of herbal and non-herbal toothpaste on reducing the plaque index in children aged 15-18 years (WHO). This type of research is experimental with pretest-postest group design on 30 respondents obtained by total sampling method and divided into 2 groups. A total of 15 respondents in the first group used herbal toothpaste and 15 respondents in the second group used non-herbal toothpaste. The plaque index is measured based on the Loe and Silness plaque index. Paired t test was used to determine the difference in dental plaque index before and after treatment. The results showed that there were significant differences in the dental plaque index on the use of herbal and non-herbal toothpaste for children aged 15-18 years. Keywords: plaque index, herbal toothpaste, non herbal toothpaste

10-year trend of tooth loss and associated factors in a Japanese population-based longitudinal study

ObjectivesWe examined the trend in the number of missing teeth in a Japanese community over a 10-year period and the potential associated explanatory factors.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA population-based study conducted in 2007, 2012 and 2017 in Japan (Hisayama Study).ParticipantsResidents of a Japanese community aged 40–79 years undergoing dental examination in 2007 (n=2665), 2012 (n=2325) and 2017 (n=2285).Outcome measuresThe number of missing teeth, periodontal condition, dental caries experience, dental plaque index and oral health behaviours were evaluated each year. The longitudinal analysis of variation in these factors were assessed using mixed models.ResultsThe age-adjusted and sex-adjusted mean number of missing teeth decreased with time (6.80 in 2007, 6.01 in 2012 and 4.99 in 2017). The mean clinical attachment level (CAL), prevalence of periodontitis and dental plaque index decreased over the study period, while dental caries experience slightly increased. The level of oral health behaviour increased over time. Poisson mixed models showed that changes in mean CAL and dental caries experience were positively associated with the change in the number of missing teeth over time. Linear mixed models showed that changes in dental plaque index and no regular dental visit were positively associated with changes in mean CAL.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a decreasing trend regarding the number of missing teeth in Japan might be associated with improvements in the periodontal condition due to changes in oral hygiene level and oral health behaviour.

Using mHealth to Promote Mothers’ Brushing of Preschool Children’s Teeth: A Study Protocol using the Multi-phase Optimization Strategy (MOST)

Background Early childhood caries is a highly prevalent disease affecting young children. Parental brushing of children’s teeth is recommended during preschool years. Interventions to promote parental brushing of children’s teeth are assessed as a package in randomized clinical trials and the efficacy of separate components is not known. Methods and Analysis The aim of this study is to develop an optimized behavior modification intervention to increase mothers’ brushing of their pre-school children’s teeth using the Multi-phase Optimization Strategy (MOST) guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Behavior change will be assessed by the percent reduction in children’s dental plaque index after 6 months and mothers’ reporting of toothbrushing frequency. Two phases of MOST will be carried out. First: the preparation phase comprises the development of a conceptual framework, identifying candidate components, conducting a feasibility pilot study to assess the acceptability and the design features of three intervention components (motivational interviewing (MI), and two mobile health (mHealth) components: oral health promotion messages, and storytelling videos delivered using WhatsApp messenger) in addition to setting an optimization objective. Second: the optimization phase constitutes a factorial trial assessing the three intervention components and developing the intervention by selecting the most effective components within the optimization constraint. Each component will be set at two levels: yes (the intervention is applied) and no (the intervention is not applied). A linear regression model will be used to assess the effect of the intervention components on the percent reduction in dental plaque index (primary outcome measure). The secondary outcome measure is the change in the frequency of mother’s brushing of the child’s teeth. The combination of components making up the new optimized intervention will be selected.Discussion This will be the first study to apply the MOST framework in the field of dentistry. The results of this study can guide to the development of an optimized behaviour modification interventions using mHealth and MI. Trial Registration This trial was registered on June 11th, 2021, in Clinical trials.gov. Registration number: NCT04923581.

The effectiveness of apple, sugar-free chewing gum and Rolly Brush® in the reduction of plaque index: crossover randomized clinical trial

Background: The implementation of the self-cleaning practice is of fundamental importance for the maintenance of oral health and to remove the human dental biofilm which is considered the main etiological factor for the development of caries and periodontal diseases. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of chewing gum, Rolly Brush® and apples as forms of mechanical control and removal of the dental biofilm in the absence of brushing. Materials and Methods: Eighteen volunteers were submitted to plaque index evaluation after a period of 24 hours of no oral hygiene. Then, they would use one of the methods: chewing gum, Rolly Brush®, apple or tooth brushing, chosen by a draw, for one minute, and then, plaque index was evaluated again. This stage was repeated until all participants were submitted to all selected methods, in periods of 24 hours each. Results: Dental brushing was more effective when compared to each of the other methods applied and there was a statistically significant reduction of dental plaque index after apllying all methods of cleaning in all groups. Conclusion: Chewing gum, Rolly Brush® and apple may be used as auxiliary to dental brushing or when such method is impossible to be performed. Clinicaltrials.gov: number of protocol NCT 03.601.585.

Ozone Therapy in the Prevention of Dental Plaque Formation in Dogs

This study aims to assess ozonized mineral oil ointment application as an antiplaque therapy for dogs. Domestic healthy dogs received dental scaling and polishing under general anesthesia. Under standard feeding and homecare during 7 days, 20 dogs were randomly placed into 2 different groups for dental treatment. The control group (CG) was given a single placebo application and the ozone group (O3G) received daily ozonized ointment application. The average age (CG = 4.4; O3G = 5.7 years old), body weight (CG = 15.7; O3G = 15.3 kg) and the gingivitis index obtained on the first day (D0) allowed initial homogeneity between the groups. The dental plaque index, including clinical and computerized analysis on the seventh day, was obtained from the buccal aspect of specific dental locations. Both analyses revealed significant statistical association between daily application of ozone and antiplaque effect. There was no evidence of toxicity during the study. These results suggest that ozone therapy may be an efficient adjuvant to conventional periodontal treatment in decreasing initial dental plaque formation.

Correspondence between plaque index and Streptococcus mutans and Lactabacillus spp. counts in a child population: A cross-sectional study

Background: The identification of microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus spp. (LB) is a predictor of the development of caries, however the identification methods are of limited access due to their high cost. Aim: the objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the dental biofilm measured by the modified Silness and Löe dental plaque index (DPI)) and the SM and LB count, in preschool children from Colombia. Materials and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional and correlational study. We took 202 samples from children between 3 and 4 years of age from three kindergartens in Cali, Colombia, belonging to socioeconomic stratum 1 and 2, evaluated at four times (0, 3, 6 and 9 months). Results: We found a correlation between the highest IPB and the highest count of SM colony forming units only at 3 months (p = 0.003*). LB counts were homogeneous in all children and there was no correlation with IPB. Conclusion: We observed mixed results on the relationship between IPB and the counts of SM present in the saliva, therefore an analysis of multiple factors is required.

Pengaruh Pasta Gigi yang Mengandung Katekin Gambir (Uncaria gambir Roxb) Terhadap Penurunan Indeks Plak Gigi

Background: Dental plaque is a soft, structured, calcified layer of bacteria that accumulates and attaches to the surface of the tooth. Efforts are made to eliminate and prevent plaque on the surface of the tooth by plaque control. Plaque control can be done mechanically, chemically, or a combination of both. Chemical control is done by using toothpaste. Catechin gambier toothpaste are polyphenolic compounds that have antibacterial activity which can prevent adhesion, inhibit the enzyme activity of glucosyltransferase and kills plaque forming bacteria. Objective: To determine the effect of catechin gambier on decreasing dental plaque index. Methods: This study is a true experimental study with pre-test and post-test control group design, conducted in March – April 2019. The subjects of this study were 44 students of Faculty of Dentistry, Andalas University. The subjects were divided into two groups, one group used catechin gambier toothpaste and an control group used placebo. Plaque index was calculated using an Turesky-Gilmore-Glickman of Quingley-Hein. Data was analyzed by t-test. Results: Average of dental plaque index in treatment group was higher than placebo group. Independent t-test showed that there was significant difference of dental plaque index beetwen two groups (p<0,001). Conclusion: Catechin gambier toothpaste can reduce dental plaque index.