Clinical Research Directory

Effect of mHealth Intervention on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adult Patients With Chronic Systemic Diseases

This study evaluated whether an mHealth oral health education intervention could improve oral health-related quality of life among adults with chronic systemic diseases registered in specialized disease centers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or hereditary blood disorders were included. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Both groups continued to receive routine care. The control group received a standardized printed oral health education leaflet, while the intervention group received an mHealth oral health education program consisting of five educational videos covering toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste selection, toothbrushing technique, dental flossing, tongue cleaning, and water flosser use. The educational materials were delivered electronically through a secure web-based platform, with links sent through WhatsApp at regular intervals during the 3-month intervention period. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. The main hypothesis was that participants receiving the mHealth intervention would show greater improvement in oral health-related quality of life over the 3-month study period compared with participants receiving the control condition.