Clinical Research Directory

Improving Gum Health Among Older Adults Using AI Based mHealth for Personalized OHI

Background: Many older adults in Hong Kong lack thorough tooth cleaning and regular dental check-ups, which can lead to plaque-induced gum diseases and systemic health issues. A self-developed Mobile Health (mHealth) system, which utilizes smartphone photographs and artificial intelligence (AI), has been shown to accurately detect gum health. Personalized oral hygiene instruction (POHI) can then be provided based on the detected results. Objectives: 1. To improve gum health among non-institutionalized older adults using mHealth and POHI. 2. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of mHealth and POHI in improving gum health. Hypothesis: The personalized oral hygiene instruction (OHI) in addition to AI based mHealth provided by volunteer social workers can improve clinical effectiveness and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL). Design and subjects: 88 older adults will be recruited from daycare centers, who will receive bi-weekly POHI based on their gum condition, detected by mHealth which is provided by trained volunteers. Two calibrated assessors will assess the participants' gum health, oral hygiene, caries, dental plaque, and structured questionnaire at baseline, after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year Study Instruments: Gingival Index, Plaque Index, International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) code, dental plaque microbiology, and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) + Structured Questionnaire. Interventions: Personalized oral hygiene instruction using AI-powered mHealth provided by trained volunteers bi-weekly Main Outcomes: Gingival condition, Oral hygiene status, Dental plaque microbiology, and oral health-related quality of life. Data analysis: t-tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum test will compare pre- and post-intervention data. Expected Result: The use of mHealth and POHI provided by trained volunteers bi-weekly can lead to improved gum health among older adults.