Mobile and Web-Based Oral Health Promotion in Adolescents: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) and/or web-based intervention in adolescents for improving oral health-related behaviour and oral health. Methods: Seven electronic databases and two trial registries for clinical trial published in English between Jan 2000 and Oct 2020 were searched out with young people 10 to 24-years-old included. Primary outcomes (oral hygiene, gingival health and caries) and secondary outcomes (tooth-brushing, sugar-sweetened beverages/snacks consumption) were evaluated. A meta-analysis of each outcome was conducted wherever possible. Results: Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involved adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment and 2 RCTs on oral health promotion in school were included in this review. Meta-analysis showed significant reductions in gingival bleeding scores among orthodontic patients using text messaging with behaviour change technique (SMD=-4.8; 95% CI: -6.2 to -2.3; 8 studies). Two school-based studies reported that utilization of the mobile app or blended online digital education was less effective in the reduction of dental plaque or improving tooth-brushing and gingival index than educational instruction using leaflets or lectures. There was not enough evidence on the effectiveness of the interventions in controlling sugar-sweetened beverages/snacks and reducing dental caries. Conclusions: mHealth interventions targeting young people benefit the orthodontic patients on gingival health however no favourable effect on tooth-brushing and gingival health in the school setting. Long-term evidence of caries prevention should be explored.