Digital Coaching for Dental Disease

Enrolling by invitation at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Disqualifiers: Edentulous, Fewer than 18 teeth, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 19 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new digital coaching system designed to help people maintain good tooth-brushing habits. The goal is to determine if digital reminders and personalized tips can encourage brushing twice a day for two minutes in all areas of the mouth. Researchers aim to compare the effectiveness of this digital tool, called Personalized Digital Oral Health Coaching, against standard brushing advice. The study seeks adults with at least two teeth in each section of their mouth who regularly use a smartphone and receive dental care at a participating clinic. Participants will use an electronic toothbrush and an app for 19 weeks, with some receiving additional digital coaching. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance oral health habits for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on oral hygiene practices and the use of digital coaching.

What prior data suggests that this digital oral health intervention is safe?

Research has shown that digital health tools, such as the Personalized Digital Oral Health Intervention (DOHI) used in this trial, are generally safe and easy for participants to use. These programs have been studied to assess their impact on improving habits like tooth brushing. Previous studies found that using a mobile app and an electronic toothbrush effectively encourages better oral hygiene without harm.

No reports of serious problems have been linked to these digital tools for oral health. Participants typically find them easy to use and appreciate the personalized feedback. This suggests that the DOHI is a safe choice for those looking to improve their brushing habits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about personalized digital oral health coaching because it offers a unique approach to improving dental hygiene. Unlike traditional methods that rely on standard oral hygiene instructions, this digital intervention provides tailored guidance and feedback to encourage adherence to the 2x2x4 brushing routine. This personalized coaching is designed to be more engaging and interactive, potentially leading to better oral health outcomes by motivating individuals to maintain consistent and effective brushing habits.

What evidence suggests that this digital coaching is effective for improving dental hygiene?

This trial will compare personalized digital oral health coaching with traditional oral hygiene instruction. Studies have shown that personalized digital coaching greatly improves dental care practices. Research indicates that these digital tools outperform traditional methods in maintaining regular brushing habits. For example, personalized tips and motivational messages increase both the frequency and duration of brushing. Additionally, technology such as apps and electronic toothbrushes helps track and enhance adherence to oral care routines. Early findings suggest that personalized digital coaching leads to better oral health by making brushing more regular and effective. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Vivek Shetty, DMD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who receive care at community dental clinics in California. Participants should be willing to use an electronic toothbrush and mobile app, follow oral hygiene instructions for 19 weeks, and allow their brushing data to be collected. There are no specific exclusion criteria provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Fluent in English (speaking, reading, writing)

Able to provide informed consent

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Edentulous (no natural teeth)

I have fewer than 18 teeth or less than 2 teeth in any part of my mouth.

Unable to use mobile devices due to cognitive or physical impairments

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Run-in

Participants use traditional oral care instructions to ensure comfort with the electronic toothbrush system and study procedures

2 weeks

Treatment

Participants follow assigned oral hygiene instructions with or without personalized digital coaching

19 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in brushing frequency and duration after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Personalized Digital Oral Health Coaching

Trial Overview The study tests if a Personalized Digital Oral Health Intervention (DOHI) via a mobile app with digital coaching improves adherence to recommended tooth brushing routines compared to traditional instructions alone. It also examines how participant characteristics and engagement with the technology affect this adherence.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Digital Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the intervention group will receive a personalized digital coaching promoting adherence to the 2x2x4 brushing routine.

Group II: traditional oral hygiene instruction Active Control 1 Intervention

All participants will use an electronic toothbrush and mobile app to record brushing behavior throughout the study. However, the control arm will use the devices strictly for data collection without access to personalized digital coaching features.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Collaborator

Trials

312

Recruited

853,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07167875

Personalized Digital Coaching for Oral Hygiene Adherence ... Secondary outcomes include analyses of individual-level factors-such as demographics, initial oral hygiene behaviors, and patterns of technology ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/KXzjUbwQ80uRXUoKVs3QZA/project-details/9741950

Personalized Digital Behavior Change Interventions ... We hypothesize that a dynamic and personalized DOHI will be more effective than traditional, static, clinician-delivered OHI in improving oral health and ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41405-025-00329-5.pdf

Effectiveness of personalized oral health education with ... Pre- and post-intervention data on participants' behavior and oral health outcomes were collected to determine the intervention's effectiveness ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571224004937

Effectiveness of immersive technologies in oral health ... This systematic review demonstrates that immersive technologies, including VR and AR, significantly enhance oral health knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy, ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7844619/

The Effect of a Personalized Oral Health Education Program ... Based on these points, this randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of a personalized oral health education program ( ...

6. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41405-023-00166-4

Evaluation of a digital oral health intervention (Know Your ... Optimal oral health behaviours are crucial to avoid preventable dental diseases and maintain good oral health.

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/846

The Effect of a Personalized Oral Health Education ... The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized oral health education program, in combination with routine dental treatment.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532338223001422

review digital dentistry and its impact on oral health-related ... This article outlines innovations in dentistry and their potential impact on patients' oral health-related quality of life in prevention and therapy.