Apps for oral hygiene in children 4 to 7 years: Fun and effectiveness

Francesca Zotti; Angelo Pietrobelli; Luciano Malchiodi; Pier-Francesco Nocini; Massimo Albanese

doi:10.4317/jced.55686

Apps for oral hygiene in children 4 to 7 years: Fun and effectiveness

J Clin Exp Dent. 2019 Sep 1;11(9):e795-e801. doi: 10.4317/jced.55686. eCollection 2019 Sep.

Authors

Francesca Zotti¹, Angelo Pietrobelli², Luciano Malchiodi³, Pier-Francesco Nocini⁴, Massimo Albanese³

Affiliations

¹ Researcher, Section of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Paediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona. Policlinico G. B. Rossi. Piazzale L. Scuro n.10, 37134. Verona, Italy.
² Associate Professor, Section of Paediatrics, Department of Surgical Sciences, Paediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona. Policlinico G. B. Rossi. Piazzale L. Scuro n.10, 37134. Verona, Italy & Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, 70808, LA, (USA).
³ Associate Professor, Section of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Paediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona. Policlinico G. B. Rossi. Piazzale L. Scuro n.10, 37134. Verona, Italy.
⁴ Chair, Professor, Section of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Paediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona. Policlinico G. B. Rossi. Piazzale L. Scuro n.10, 37134. Verona, Italy.

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. Key words:Apps, oral hygiene compliance, children oral hygiene, motivation, educational attainment.