Automated coaching to help parents increase their children's brushing frequency: an exploratory trial
Hurling, R.; Claessen, J.P.; Nicholson, J.; Schäfer, F.; Tomlin, C.C.; Lowe, C.F.
Community Dental Health 30(2): 88-93
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0265-539X PMID: 23888538 Document Number: 666995
Advances in digital communication, such as the internet, now provide a cost effective channel to reach and help families struggling to establish good oral hygiene in their homes. This paper describes a novel internet based oral hygiene intervention whose design draws from advances in social cognitive models of behaviour change. Intervention components included role-modelling cartoons for children, a guide for parents on using rewards, a personalised plan with clear steps, tips to follow and a weekly 10-minute review of progress. To evaluate the efficacy of the online coaching programme; specifically we expected that those in the intervention group would brush their teeth more frequently during the intervention period than those in the control group. An exploratory trial using a randomised controlled parallel approach. Children aged 5 to 9 years from 44 families (23 control and 21 intervention). An objective monitoring of tooth brushing. In the 3-week intervention period, children from families assigned to the coaching programme brushed their teeth 38% more often than those in the control group. The programme was effective in a number of respects. Opportunities for further research are discussed, including the need to create a more engaging system and so increase compliance.