Plaque Reduction: Digital vs. Parental Toothbrushing Instruction in Pediatric Patients
University of Southern California
Summary
This prospective randomized controlled trial will aim to evaluate the effectiveness of two methods of delivering oral hygiene instruction to children aged 3 - 6 years: parent-modeled toothbrushing (control) and the MoodBrush digital application (experimental). The primary endpoint is the change in plaque index scores before and after brushing, measured on 12 tooth surfaces using the Silness and Loe Plaque Index. The study rationale is based in the need to identify efficient and engaging strategies to improve pediatric oral hygiene. The expected outcome is that both groups will demonstrate significant reductions in plaque scores, with children using MoodBrush achieving similar, if not greater improvements in plaque index scores. Follow-up includes an immediate post-brushing assessment at the dental visit, with intrarater reliability checks to ensure measurement consistency. Statistical analyses will include paired t-tests to evaluate pre-post changes within groups and two-sample t-tests to compare differences between groups, with significance set at p \< 0.05. A sample size of 112 participants provides 80% power to detect a mean difference of 0.30 in plaque index score reduction.
Description
This study is a prospective randomized control trial. The study will be conducted at the Altamed Clinic (Sunflower location) and the University of Southern California Advanced Pediatric Dental Clinic. Established patients of record that are 3-6 years old who meet inclusion criteria will qualify. A recruitment script will be used to recruit patients into the study. If parents of patients agree to participate in the study, they will sign all informed consents. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups by block randomization and having pre-assigned envelopes in numeric order for each…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 3–6 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * ASA I or II * children aged 3-6 years presenting for recall dental visit at AltaMed (Sunflower) clinic or USC Advanced Pediatric Dental Clinic * must speak English or Spanish, Frankl 3 or 4. Exclusion Criteria: * Physical limitations that would prevent adequate oral hygiene * Extensive caries preventing accurate readings on plaque index, * Teeth needed for plaque score have not fully erupted or missing * If behavior prevents them from cooperating for exam and toothbrushing * Inability to brush for full two minutes.
Interventions
- DeviceMoodBrush Digital Application
MoodBrush is a helpful app that aids in teaching children how to brush their teeth. The application uses bright colors and graphics to show children where to brush their teeth and has a timer for each quadrant to ensure equal brushing time for each portion of the teeth (Appendix I). MoodBrush is free to download has no in app purchases that will be made during study and is compatible with Apple devices. Parents will not need to download app for participation in this study.
Location
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, California