WhatsApp Messages to Improve Mothers' Oral Health Knowledge and Children's Toothbrushing
Effectiveness of WhatsApp-Based Messages as an Adjunct to Oral Health Education on Maternal Oral Health Knowledge and Child Toothbrushing Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
106
0 countries
N/A
Brief Summary
Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems in young children in Saudi Arabia. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways to prevent it, but preschool children cannot do this properly on their own and depend on their mothers to brush for them and to supervise them. Mothers usually receive oral health advice only once, during a dental visit, and a single session may not be enough to change daily habits at home. This study will test whether short oral health messages sent to mothers on WhatsApp, in addition to the usual face-to-face advice, help mothers know more about toothbrushing and help their children brush better. Mothers of children aged 3 to 6 years attending the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah will be invited to take part. All mothers will first answer a short questionnaire about what they know about toothbrushing and how their child currently brushes. All mothers will then receive the same 10 to 15 minute face-to-face oral health education session. After the session, each mother will be placed into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. Mothers in the first group will also receive two WhatsApp messages a week for eight weeks, sixteen messages in total, covering how often to brush, how much fluoride toothpaste to use, correct brushing technique, and how to help and supervise their child. Mothers in the second group will not receive these messages. After eight weeks, all mothers will answer the same questionnaire again, and the answers of the two groups will be compared. Taking part involves no dental treatment or procedures beyond the child's normal care, and mothers may withdraw at any time.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Aug 2026
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
August 11, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 14, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
August 30, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
April 30, 2027
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
August 30, 2027
August 14, 2026
August 1, 2026
8 months
August 11, 2026
August 11, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Maternal oral health knowledge score
Maternal knowledge of toothbrushing-related oral health recommendations, measured by an eight-item multiple-choice questionnaire covering timing of toothbrushing, initiation of toothbrushing, parental positioning during brushing, fluoride toothpaste use, recommended fluoride concentration, parental supervision, consequences of inadequate toothbrushing, and toothbrush selection. Each correct answer scores 1 point; incorrect and "I do not know" answers score 0. Total score ranges from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater oral health knowledge.
Baseline and 8 weeks after the education session
Child toothbrushing behavior score (maternal report)
Toothbrushing behavior of the designated study child as reported by the mother, measured by an eight-item questionnaire covering brushing frequency, fluoride toothpaste use, amount of toothpaste, parental involvement during brushing, brushing of all tooth surfaces, brushing duration, toothbrush replacement practices, and post-brushing behavior. Responses consistent with current evidence-based recommendations score 1 point and all other responses score 0. Total score ranges from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating more favorable toothbrushing practices. Children reported as not brushing are assigned a score of 0.
Baseline and 8 weeks after the education session
Study Arms (2)
Oral Health Education Plus WhatsApp Messages
EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single standardized face-to-face oral health education session and, in addition, WhatsApp-based oral health messages delivered twice weekly for eight weeks (16 messages total) reinforcing toothbrushing recommendations. Assigned interventions: Behavioral: Standardized Face-to-Face Oral Health Education; Behavioral: WhatsApp-Based Oral Health Messages
Oral Health Education Alone
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants receive the same single standardized face-to-face oral health education session and no additional oral health education or messages during the eight-week study period. Assigned intervention: Behavioral: Standardized Face-to-Face Oral Health Education
Interventions
A single individual education session of 10 to 15 minutes delivered in Arabic by the principal investigator immediately after baseline assessment, covering the importance of toothbrushing, recommended frequency and timing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, proper brushing technique, parental assistance and supervision, and toothbrush selection and maintenance, supported by standardized visual materials. Arms: Both arms
Sixteen oral health messages delivered individually via WhatsApp in Arabic, two per week for eight weeks, reinforcing the toothbrushing content of the education session. Messages may include text, images, or short videos from evidence-based sources including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, and are reviewed by a pediatric dentist before delivery. Arms: Experimental arm only
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Mother of at least one child aged 3 to 6 years Aged 18 years or older Able to read and understand Arabic Owns a smartphone with an active WhatsApp account Attending the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital at the time of recruitment Willing to participate and provide informed consent
You may not qualify if:
- Dental professional or dental student Currently participating in another oral health education program targeting child oral health or toothbrushing practices
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- PREVENTION
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Associate professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
August 11, 2026
First Posted
August 14, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
August 30, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
April 30, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
August 30, 2027
Last Updated
August 14, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-08
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
Individual participant data will not be shared publicly. De-identified data may be made available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.