Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of cartoon animated video, caregiver-supervised training, and pamphlet-based oral health education on plaque control, oral hygiene status, and oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among orphaned adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis.
Methods: A total of ninety adolescents were randomly selected and allocated into three different groups. Group A received the pamphlet (n = 30), Group B received the cartoon animated video (n = 30), and Group C received the caregiver-supervised training (n = 30). A two-stage random sampling methodology was employed to select orphanages and the study population in Puducherry, India. Clinical examinations were conducted using the plaque index and simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), and a pre-validated questionnaire was administered to assess oral hygiene KAP, which were recorded at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month intervals.
Results: All three groups experienced statistically significant reductions in plaque scores (from 3.7 ± 0.8 to 0.9 ± 0.2 in the pamphlet group, 3.9 ± 0.8 to 0.4 ± 0.2 in the animated video group, and 3.6 ± 0.8 to 0.7 ± 0.1 in the caregiver group) and OHI-S scores (from 3.9 ± 0.6 to 1.3 ± 0.3, 3.7 ± 0.5 to 1.0 ± 0.2, and 3.9 ± 0.7 to 0.5 ± 0.1, respectively). Notably, the caregiver-based training and animated video methods demonstrated superior outcomes in reducing dental plaque and improving oral hygiene, while also an increase in the KAP scores compared to the pamphlet method.
Conclusion: Both caregiver-supervised training and cartoon animated video methods proved to be more effective than the pamphlet method on plaque control and improvement of oral hygiene status, oral health knowledge, attitude, and its application in oral hygiene maintenance.
Keywords: caregiver; health education; health knowledge; oral health; oral hygiene; orphaned adolescents.
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