Video vs. Model-Based Oral Hygiene Instruction in Gingivitis Patients

Background and Rationale Gingivitis is a reversible inflammatory condition of the gingival tissues caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. The gold standard for its prevention and treatment is professional mechanical plaque removal (Phase 1 periodontal therapy) combined with effective, daily supragingival plaque control by the patient. However, maintaining long-term patient compliance and motivation remains a significant clinical challenge. Traditionally, oral hygiene instruction (OHI) involves verbal guidance and practical demonstration of brushing and interdental cleaning techniques on 3D dental models. With the integration of digital health technologies, video-based educational tools have emerged as a viable alternative. Video instructions offer standardized content and optimize the clinician's chair-time, which is highly valuable in busy clinical settings. While clinical indices objectively measure disease severity, contemporary periodontal care increasingly recognizes the crucial role of psychological and behavioral factors in treatment success. Oral hygiene-related self-efficacy (OHSE)-a patient's belief in their ability to maintain oral care habits even under taxing situations-is a key cognitive determinant of behavior change. Therefore, evaluating clinical outcomes in conjunction with OHSE and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) provides a more comprehensive understanding of periodontal healing dynamics.

Study Objectives The primary objective of this study is to compare the short-term clinical efficacy of video-based versus model-based OHI delivered as an adjunct to Phase 1 periodontal treatment in patients with gingivitis. The secondary objective is to evaluate whether patients' baseline OHSE scores predict the amount of clinical improvement (reductions in Plaque Index and Bleeding on Probing) and to assess changes in self-reported gingival symptoms using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Methodology and Study Design This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial conducted at Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry. The trial enrolls 80 eligible patients diagnosed with plaque-induced gingivitis, characterized by a whole-mouth average Gingival Index (GI) > 2.0 and no probing depths > 4 mm. Patients with a history of systemic diseases affecting periodontal tissues, current smokers, and those who received antibiotic therapy within the last 3 months are excluded.

Clinical and Behavioral Assessments Prior to any intervention (Baseline - T0), a blinded examiner assesses the periodontal health of the participants using the Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) at six sites per tooth. Following the clinical examination, patients complete a validated Oral Hygiene-Related Self-Efficacy (OHSE) questionnaire, which evaluates their confidence in performing toothbrushing, interdental cleaning, and regular dental visits under various psychological barriers. Additionally, patients rate their subjective gingival symptoms (e.g., bleeding, swelling, bad breath) using a 10-point VAS. Intervention Following baseline assessments, all patients receive standard Phase 1 periodontal treatment, consisting of full-mouth supragingival and subgingival scaling and polishing using ultrasonic instruments and hand curettes. Immediately after the mechanical therapy, patients are randomly allocated to one of two groups (1:1 ratio): Video Group: Patients receive a digital link to a standardized instructional video demonstrating proper toothbrushing and interdental cleaning techniques. Model Group: Patients receive one-on-one practical oral hygiene instruction demonstrated by a clinician on a 3D dental model.

Follow-up and Statistical Analysis Patients are recalled at 3 month (T1) post-intervention. The same blinded examiner repeats all clinical measurements (PI, GI, PD, BOP) and patients re-evaluate their subjective gingival symptoms (VAS). Statistical analyses will be performed to assess within-group and between-group variations. The comparison of clinical improvement amounts (Δ T0 - T1) between the Video and Model groups will be conducted using Independent Samples t-tests and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting for baseline clinical values and initial OHSE scores. Correlation analyses will be employed to examine the predictive relationship between baseline OHSE subsets (particularly interdental cleaning self-efficacy) and objective reductions in periodontal inflammation.