The effects of oral health education regarding periodontal health on non-dental undergraduates in southwestern China-exploring the feasibility of an e-learning course for oral health promotion

Development and feasibility of an oral health e-learning program for long-term Japanese overseas workers: a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an oral health self-care e-learning intervention for overseas workers as well as the research procedures for a future controlled trial.

METHODS

We randomly allocated participants to either the intervention (n = 48) or control (n = 51) group. The intervention group received a standardized leaflet plus a theory-based oral health e-learning program. The control group received only the standardized leaflet. We assessed health behaviour related to fluoride toothpaste use, oral care knowledge, motivation, oral care self-efficacy, and oral health related quality of life (QoL). Chi-square and t test analyses were performed to make comparisons between the two groups. To evaluate the research process, participants in the intervention group were asked open-ended questions to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the research procedures in practice.

RESULTS

A total of 82 participants (Intervention = 36, Control = 46) were included in the analysis. The dropout rate was 17.2%. The modal time taken to complete the e-learning intervention was more than 30 min (33.3%). Of the 36 respondents in the intervention group, 27 (70.4%) said that the e-learning intervention had changed their behaviour. At the three months follow-up, oral care knowledge alone was improved in the e-learning group.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study provides evidence that the theory-based self-care for oral health e-learning intervention is feasible in overseas workers. Next, this feasible and acceptable pilot study should be used with an appropriate sample size in a randomized controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial protocol was registered with UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000045883) on 27/10/2021.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward self-control of dental plaque among patients with periodontal diseases: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The development of periodontal disease is closely linked to individual oral healthcare behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward the self-control of dental plaque among patients with periodontal diseases.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinan Stomatological Hospital between July 2022 and September 2022 through a self-administrated questionnaire for patients with periodontal diseases.

RESULTS

A total of 563 participants were included. Among them, 147 (26.11%) had gingivitis and 416 (73.89%) had periodontitis. Participants' knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 8.71 ± 2.81 (range 0-12), 39.82 ± 3.69 (range 10-50), 33.13 ± 5.91 (range 11-55), respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the knowledge [odds ratio (OR) = 1.212, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.097-1.339, P < 0.001], attitude (OR = 1.132, 95% CI: 1.070-1.198, P < 0.001), occupation, especially in the commercial and service industry (OR = 0.488, 95% CI: 0.221-1.080, P = 0.007), and income of 10,000-20,000 yuan (OR = 0.476, 95% CI: 0.258-0.877, P = 0.017) were independently associated with good practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese patients with periodontal diseases demonstrated satisfactory knowledge and attitudes regarding oral hygiene, but the practical aspects need more promotion and training, especially in daily brushing frequency, usage of oral irrigator and interdental brush. Individualized approach should consider patients' knowledge, attitudes, occupation and income level.

The effect of scaling and root planning on the periodontal condition in hemodialysis patients: A clinical trial study

Background and Aims

Periodontitis is very common in kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis. The two diseases interact with each other so that kidney failure exacerbates periodontal disease and periodontal disease increases the severity of the renal failure. This study aimed to compare the effect of scaling and root planning on the periodontal status of hemodialysis patients and the healthy control group.

Methods

A clinical trial study of 60 subjects, 30 subjects in the dialysis group with chronic periodontitis, and 30 with chronic periodontitis who were systemically healthy was conducted. After a health education session, gingival pocket depth (PD) measurement, and clinical attachment level (CAL), scaling was performed for both groups. Then, the mentioned indices were measured consequently, at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Improvement in both groups was analyzed by Mann-Whitney and paired sample t-test at the significance level of 0.05 by SPSS software.

Results

In both groups, the decrease in PD and CAL was steadily observed from the first to the third time and the changes from the first to the second and the first to the third time were significant however it was not significant between the second and third time. Mean PD and CAL in the dialysis group were higher than in the nondialysis group, which was significant (p < 0.001) for the mean PD. The mean improvement of PD and CAL in dialysis patients was 14.31 ± 10.48 and 17.60 ± 7.83%, respectively, and the mean improvement of PD in the nondialysis group was significantly higher than in the dialysis group (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Periodontal treatment (scaling) causes more improvement in periodontal clinical parameters in healthy people with periodontitis than in dialysis patients.

Science Popularization Education regarding Oral Health-General Health for Nonmedical Undergraduates Applying a SPOC Teaching Model

Objective

To see how effective a blended teaching model based on a small private online course (SPOC) is in a science popularization education course on oral health-general health (OHGH).

Methods

The SPOC blended teaching model was created using an elective classroom course “Oral Prophylaxis and Hygiene” in conjunction with an online learning course called “Preventive Dentistry” from the China University massive open online course (MOOC) for the science popularization education on OHGH. Students' evaluations and teaching efficacy of this science popularization education course were tested using pre- and postcourse questionnaires.

Results

In all, 105 valid questionnaires were returned. Before the course, 95.2% of the students expressed an interest in learning more knowledge on oral disease and OHGH. When compared to those of the precourse, students' knowledge of oral diseases and OHGH was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) and the associated practice after science popularization education was much increased (P < 0.0001 or P = 0.0005), except for root canal therapy (P = 0.3886). The scores of students on the scientific popularization task also improved when compared to those of the previous classroom-only teaching (P < 0.0001). In the postcourse questionnaire, students rated the SPOC teaching mode significantly higher than both online learning and classroom teaching alone (P < 0.0001; P = 0.0117); the SPOC blended teaching was judged as more suitable for science popularization education (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The application of the SPOC teaching mode for the science popularization education course on OHGH to nonmedical undergraduates has better teaching outcomes and is more likely to be accepted by college students.