Effectiveness of Parental Behavior Encouragement in Pre-School Children's Oral Hygiene Care by Using LINE Official Account

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study explored the effectiveness of sending bedtime tooth brushing reminders through the LINE official account, (LINE OA) “Fundee,” to parents of children aged 2-4 years, based on the principles of nudge theory. Participants were selected through a simple randomization process and divided into two groups: a control group with 41 individuals who received standard dental health education, and an experimental group with 41 individuals, who, in addition to standard education, were provided with dental health education and daily bedtime tooth brushing reminders at 7:00 PM via the LINE OA. The data collection process involved conducting dental examinations to assess the levels of dental plaque in the oral cavities of the children from both groups. Additionally, an analysis was carried out on the “Fundee” messages sent by parents in the experimental group following their children's bedtime tooth brushing. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and pairwise comparisons with the LSD method.

The study found that, in the experimental group, the frequency of parental behavior in brushing their children's teeth before bedtime during the first four weeks did not vary significantly, with an average of 5.76 to 6.24 days. However, there was a statistically significant decrease (p-value < .01) in weeks five and six, with the average dropping to 4.98 to 5.44 days. Additionally, it was observed that the level of dental plaque in the children of the experimental group significantly decreased during and after the experiment (p-value < .01) compared to before the experiment. In contrast, the dental plaque levels in the children of the control group remained consistent throughout all measurement stages.

LINE OA Fundee effectively encouraged cooperative behavior in the initial four weeks, suggesting the need for method adjustments for sustained impact. Regular parental tooth brushing was a key to reduce children's dental plaque. These insights are crucial for dental professionals in enhancing dental health behaviors among young patients.