The effect of audiovisual motivation and oral health education on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life among children at social homes: a randomised clinical trial

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of audiovisual motivation (AVM) and oral health education (OHE) on oral health (OH) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children at social homes. Methods: This was a double-blinded cluster-randomised clinical trial. Subjects (n = 225) aged 4–14 years were recruited from social homes and randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 100) and study group (n = 115); each was further divided into sub-groups: 4–6, 7–12 and > 12 years. Both groups were interviewed and examined to record DMFT/dmft (baseline and 12 months), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months). The study group had multiple AVM and OHE sessions; the control group had no intervention. Results: Mean sample age was 9.1 ± 2.7 years. At 12 months, 4–6-year-olds had a significant improvement in PI for study and control groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.008 respectively), and GI was significantly improved in study group (P < 0.001). In 7–12-year-olds, a significant improvement in the PI, GI and dmft was found in study group (P < 0.001 for all), with an increase in DMFT in the control group (P < 0.001). For > 12 years, there was a significant improvement in PI (P = 0.002), GI (P = 0.043). There was significant improvement in OHRQoL in the study group only in these domains: bleeding when brushing teeth (P = 0.04) and presence of bad breath in the morning (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a favourable effect of AVM and OHE on OH and OHRQoL in children aged 4–14 years at social homes after 12 months.