Oral Hygiene Reminders in Orthodontic Patients

Influence of WhatsApp and Electronic Mail Reminders on Oral Hygiene Compliance of Orthodontic Patients Using Planimetry

Objective: To determine the effect of WhatsApp and Email reminders on oral hygiene compliance of orthodontic patients.

Methods: A Randomized, parallel group, double blinded study was conducted on 54 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at MAHSA University. They were randomized to 3 groups, namely WhatsApp (W) group, Email (E) group and Control (C) group with 18 subjects in each group. Group (W) and Group (E) received oral health messages once a week through WhatsApp and E-mail reminders respectively, while Group (C) did not receive any reminders. Plaque was measured at baseline (T0), after 4 weeks (T1), and after 8 weeks (T2). For each subject, two intraoral photographs were taken after application of plaque disclosing agent; and the area covered by plaque was measured on 12, 13, 43, 22, 23 and 33 teeth by planimetry.

Fifty-four patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were recruited from the dental clinic of MAHSA University between Jan 2018 to April 2018. Voluntary written informed consent was obtained from all the subjects before the start of the study. They were randomly assigned into 3 groups namely WhatsApp (W) group, Email (E) group and Control (C) group with 18 subjects in each group. Oral hygiene messages through WhatsApp and Email were sent once a week for 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients having fixed maxillary and mandibular orthodontic appliances with 0.022 AO conventional metal brackets,
• Aged ≥ 15 years,
• Undergone 3 months of orthodontic treatment,
• No significant medical or dental history
• Have access to cellular telephone and are online daily

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing single arch treatment
• Missing maxillary lateral incisor, maxillary canine and mandibular canine
• Patients' orthodontic treatment duration < 3 months and > 4 months.