Efficacy of a Novel Oral Health Education Method and Appointment Reminders on the Perceptions, Knowledge, and Adherence to Dental Appointments among Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a novel oral health education method and appointment reminder system. It focused on the perceptions of service quality, oral health knowledge, and adherence to dental appointments among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted among 64 pregnant women. Half (32 pregnant women) were randomly allocated to the New Method group and the other half (32) were allocated to the Conventional Method group using blocked randomization method. Both groups received standard dental services. The New Method group received additional multimedia oral health knowledge and appointment reminders. Results: Baseline characteristics, health status, expectations of service quality, and perceptions of service quality of both groups were similar at enrolment. Participants in both groups had ‘High level’ expectations and perceptions of service quality in all items. The mean (standard deviation) oral health knowledge scores at baseline were comparable with the New Method at 11.54 (3.71) and the Conventional Method at 11.33 (3.91). At the end of the research, perceptions of service quality held by the New Method group were significantly higher than those in the Conventional Method group (p=0.002). However, oral health knowledge scores at the end of the study were significantly higher in both groups compared to the baseline. The mean knowledge score was 14.20 (3.56) in the New Method group and 13.63 (3.54) in the Conventional Method group. The scores were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.132). Attendance according to appointment was significantly higher in the New Method group at 88.5% compared to the Conventional Method group at 64%, with an odds ratio of 4.313 (p=0.040). Conclusion: After receiving antenatal dental services, participants in both groups had comparable higher oral health knowledge. Participants enrolled in the New Method with an appointment reminder demonstrated greater adherence to the dental care schedule than those who did not. It is recommended to employ an appointment reminder system in the standard of dental care to improve communication channels between healthcare providers and patients.