WhatsApp Messages to Improve Mothers' Oral Health Knowledge and Children's Toothbrushing
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18+
SponsorKing Abdulaziz University
About this trial
Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems in young children in Saudi Arabia. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways to prevent it, but preschool children cannot do this properly on their own and depend on their mothers to brush for them and to supervise them. Mothers usually receive oral health advice only once, during a dental visit, and a single session may not be enough to change daily habits at home.
This study will test whether short oral health messages sent to mothers on WhatsApp, in addition to the usual face-to-face advice, help mothers know more about toothbrushing and help their children brush better.
Mothers of children aged 3 to 6 years attending the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah will be invited to take part. All mothers will first answer a short questionnaire about what they know about toothbrushing and how their child currently brushes. All mothers will then receive the same 10 to 15 minute face-to-face oral health education session. After the session, each mother will be placed into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. Mothers in the first group will also receive two WhatsApp messages a week for eight weeks, sixteen messages in total, covering how often to brush, how much fluoride toothpaste to use, correct brushing technique, and how to help and supervise their child. Mothers in the second group will not receive these messages.
After eight weeks, all mothers will answer the same questionnaire again, and the answers of the two groups will be compared. Taking part involves no dental treatment or procedures beyond the child's normal care, and mothers may withdraw at any time.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Mother of at least one child aged 3 to 6 years
Aged 18 years or older
Able to read and understand Arabic
Owns a smartphone with an active WhatsApp account
Disqualifiers
Dental professional or dental student
Currently participating in another oral health education program targeting child oral health or toothbrushing practices
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Standardized Face-to-Face Oral Health Education
BehavioralA single individual education session of 10 to 15 minutes delivered in Arabic by the principal investigator immediately after baseline assessment, covering the importance of toothbrushing, recommended frequency and timing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, proper brushing technique, parental assistance and supervision, and toothbrush selection and maintenance, supported by standardized visual materials. Arms: Both arms
WhatsApp-Based Oral Health Messages
BehavioralSixteen oral health messages delivered individually via WhatsApp in Arabic, two per week for eight weeks, reinforcing the toothbrushing content of the education session. Messages may include text, images, or short videos from evidence-based sources including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, and are reviewed by a pediatric dentist before delivery. Arms: Experimental arm only
Treatment groups
106 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Oral Health Education Plus WhatsApp MessagesExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Oral Health Education AloneActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Maternal oral health knowledge score
Maternal knowledge of toothbrushing-related oral health recommendations, measured by an eight-item multiple-choice questionnaire covering timing of toothbrushing, initiation of toothbrushing, parental positioning during brushing, fluoride toothpaste use, recommended fluoride concentration, parental supervision, consequences of inadequate toothbrushing, and toothbrush selection. Each correct answer scores 1 point; incorrect and "I do not know" answers score 0. Total score ranges from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater oral health knowledge.
Time frame
Baseline and 8 weeks after the education session2
Child toothbrushing behavior score (maternal report)
Toothbrushing behavior of the designated study child as reported by the mother, measured by an eight-item questionnaire covering brushing frequency, fluoride toothpaste use, amount of toothpaste, parental involvement during brushing, brushing of all tooth surfaces, brushing duration, toothbrush replacement practices, and post-brushing behavior. Responses consistent with current evidence-based recommendations score 1 point and all other responses score 0. Total score ranges from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating more favorable toothbrushing practices. Children reported as not brushing are assigned a score of 0.
Time frame
Baseline and 8 weeks after the education sessionLocations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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