Comparing AI with traditional methods ln oral hygiene education of dental patients
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17535381 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17535381 |
| Sponsor | Umm al-Qura University |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded |
- Submission date
- 10/05/2026
- Registration date
- 22/05/2026
- Last edited
- 18/05/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Oral Health
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming dentistry by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and patient care. Effective communication between clinicians and patients improves understanding and outcomes, yet verbal explanations by dental students may sometimes be inadequate. Chatbots such as ChatGPT can simplify complex information and enhance patient comprehension and satisfaction.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in improving patients’ understanding and retention of oral hygiene instructions compared to conventional verbal explanations.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 years and older who attend Umm Al-Qura University Dental Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, are able to understand Arabic and are willing to provide written informed consent can participate in this study.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive oral hygiene instructions either using ChatGPT-assisted educational material or conventional verbal instruction. They will complete a questionnaire before and immediately after the session.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefits are improvement of oral hygiene knowledge. No significant risks.
Where is the study run from?
Faculty of Dental Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, and Umm Al-Qura University Dental Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2025 to March 2026
Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded
Who is the main contact?
Dr Shahinaz Sembawa, snsimbawa@uqu.edu.sa
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Faculty of Dental Medicine
Umm Al-Qura University
Alabdeyah
Makkah
24381
Saudi Arabia
| Phone | +966 (0)125270000 |
|---|---|
| snsimbawa@uqu.edu.sa |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Blinded (masking used) |
| Control | Active |
| Assignment | Parallel |
| Purpose | Prevention |
| Scientific title | Effectiveness of utilizing artificial intelligence in improving oral hygiene knowledge in dental patients: a randomized controlled trial |
| Study objectives | To evaluate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in improving patients’ understanding and retention of oral hygiene instructions compared to conventional verbal explanations. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 20/11/2025, Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Alabdeyah, Makkah, 24381, Saudi Arabia; +966 (0)125280347; cscenter@uqu.edu.sa), ref: HAPO-02-K-012-2025-11-3007 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Oral hygiene knowledge |
| Intervention | Participants will be randomly allocated using simple randomization into two groups (61 participants per group). Each participant drew a concealed paper slip indicating group assignment from a container. The intervention group will receive oral hygiene instructions delivered with the assistance of ChatGPT, using an educational video that has been prepared in advance and reviewed by experts for accuracy. The control group will receive conventional verbal oral hygiene instructions delivered by trained dental students. Participants’ oral hygiene knowledge will be assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention using a structured 12-item questionnaire. The primary outcome will be the change in oral hygiene knowledge scores between the two groups. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | |
| Completion date | 29/03/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 120 |
| Total final enrolment | 122 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Patients ≥18 years old 2. Attending Umm Al-Qura University Dental Hospital in Makkah 3. Could understand Arabic 4. Provided written informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Patients under 18 years of age 2. Those who could not understand Arabic |
| Date of first enrolment | 24/11/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 29/03/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Saudi Arabia
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Editorial Notes
11/05/2026: Study's existence confirmed by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee.
