Study Looks at Efficacy of Self-Care Instruction

Results from a study published in Dentistry Journal show that oral hygiene instructions provided via human interaction or through a computer-generated format are equally effective. The study, “Effectiveness of Oral Hygiene Instructions Given in Computer-Assisted Format Vs a Self-Care Instructor,” included 60 participants with mild to moderate periodontitis who were divided into two groups: one received oral health instruction from a human instructor and one received the same instructions via a computer-assisted teaching format. Both groups received professional nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Patients’ plaque scores and bleeding indices were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks after receiving the self-care instruction. At the re-evaluation, both groups had improved scores. The only difference was that participants younger than 50 achieved better plaque scores when they received the self-care instructions via a computer-generated format.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. April 2018;16(4):12.