Effect of an oral health education program based on the use of quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology in Uzbekistan adolescents

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether an oral health education program using a Qscan device based on quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology could improve the oral hygiene status and oral health literacy of adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred adolescents aged 14-16years attending a school in Tashkent city were included in this study. The participants were assigned to the following two groups using permuted block randomization technique: (i) control group (traditional learning) and (ii) experimental group (Qscan device-based learning). The participants included in the experimental group received additional education and training on dental plaque removal using the Qscan device. The accumulated levels of plaque were assessed in all participants, who also completed questionnaires about their oral health status, oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior during an 8-week period. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group in the plaque index (0.46 vs 0.07, p<.05), oral health knowledge (19.4 vs 28.8, p<.05), attitude (16.7 vs 20.2, p<.05), and behavior (19.9 vs 30.5, p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that an oral health education program based on the use of QLF technology could be useful for improving the oral hygiene status and oral health literacy of adolescents in Uzbekistan.