Helping young children keep their teeth healthy: a study comparing hands-on demonstrations and video lessons for teaching toothbrushing to children aged 3 to 5 years
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN66028008 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66028008 |
| Sponsor | Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded |
- Submission date
- 06/04/2026
- Registration date
- 13/04/2026
- Last edited
- 09/04/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Oral Health
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Good toothbrushing habits in early childhood can help prevent cavities and gum problems later in life. However, young children need clear and engaging teaching to learn how to look after their teeth. This study aims to find out which teaching method works better for children aged 3 to 5 years: showing them how to brush their teeth using a physical model, or teaching them through educational videos. The study also looks at whether these methods improve children’s toothbrushing habits and reduce the number of new cavities they develop.
Who can participate?
Children aged 3 to 5 years who attend kindergarten can take part if their parents agree to their participation. Children must be generally healthy, able to cooperate with the researchers, and have no hearing or vision problems. At least one parent needs to be able to read and write so they can complete questionnaires.
What does the study involve?
Parents are asked to complete a questionnaire about their child’s toothbrushing habits. A dentist then checks each child’s teeth and gums using a simple mouth examination. Children are placed into one of three groups by chance. One group is taught how to brush their teeth using a large tooth model, another group watches educational videos about toothbrushing, and a third group does not receive any extra teaching. Six months later, the questionnaires and dental checks are repeated to see if there have been any changes.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no known risks or side effects from taking part in this study. Children may benefit by learning better ways to clean their teeth, which can help keep their mouths healthy. Parents may also gain useful knowledge about how to support their child’s oral health.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Altınbaş University in Istanbul, Türkiye, and takes place in local kindergartens.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2022 to June 2023.
Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded
Who is the main contact?
Dr Elif Ayşe Tamtekin Erdoğan, elif.tamtekin@uskudar.edu.tr
Contact information
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public
Uskudar University Faculty of Dentistry
Yamanevler, Ahmet Tevfik İleri Cd
Istanbul
34674
Türkiye
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-9013-5109 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +90 5554603585 |
| elif.tamtekin@uskudar.edu.tr |
Scientific
Uskudar University Faculty of Dentistry
Yamanevler, Ahmet Tevfik İleri Cd
Istanbul
34674
Türkiye
| hazal.ozcan@altinbas.edu.tr |
Scientific
Uskudar University Faculty of Dentistry
Yamanevler, Ahmet Tevfik İleri Cd
Istanbul
34674
Türkiye
| tugcetanyeri@gmail.com |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) |
| Control | Active |
| Assignment | Single |
| Purpose | Treatment |
| Scientific title | Comparison of model demonstration and video-based education methods on oral hygiene practices and caries incidence in 3–5-year-old children: a randomized controlled trial |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral and dental health status of children aged 3-5, to examine their behaviors regarding dental health, and to improve their existing oral care habits using model and video training methods and compare these methods. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 02/09/2022, Altınbas University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Altınbas Universitry Deparment of Pediatric Dentistry, İncirli Cad., No:11B, Bakırköy, İstanbul, Istanbul, 34147, Türkiye; (0 212) 709 45 28; etikkurul@altinbas.edu.tr), ref: 2022/140 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Dental caries, oral hygiene, early childhood caries |
| Intervention | This study was carried out on 282 children aged 3-5, randomized into 3 groups, attending six private kindergartens affiliated to the Kartal, Pendik, Tuzla District Directorate of National Education in Istanbul. Firstly, a survey was administered to parents to learn their knowledge about their children's oral and dental health. Intraoral examinations were performed on all children, and their dental and gingival health status was examined using ICDAS II, plaque and gingival indices. After six months; 1st group was trained with the model method, 2nd group was trained with the video method, and 3rd group was determined as control group and was not trained. Six months later, parent surveys and intraoral examinations were conducted again and changes and gains in children's oral and dental health knowledge were evaluated. Participants were randomized using a sealed envelope method. Allocation sequences were prepared in advance and placed in opaque, sealed envelopes to ensure allocation concealment. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | |
| Completion date | 23/06/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 3 Years |
| Upper age limit | 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 216 |
| Total final enrolment | 282 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Children aged 3 to 5 years who attend kindergarten and whose parents have provided informed consent 2. Children with at least one literate parent 3. Children with whom cooperation can be established 4. Children without any hearing or visual impairments 5. Children who are systemically healthy, meaning they do not have any long-term medical conditions affecting their general health 6. Children who did not undergo any dental procedures during the study period 7. Children who remained enrolled in the same school for the entire duration of the research period |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Children whose parents did not provide informed consent 2. Children with no literate parent 3. Children with whom cooperation could not be established 4. Children with visual or hearing impairments 5. Children who are not systemically healthy 6. Children who underwent any dental procedures during the study period 7. Children who left the school during the research period |
| Date of first enrolment | 02/03/2022 |
| Date of final enrolment | 28/10/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Türkiye
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other files | Consent forms | 09/04/2026 | No | No | |
| Protocol file | version 1.0 | 01/10/2022 | 09/04/2026 | No | No |
| Statistical Analysis Plan | 09/04/2026 | No | No |
Additional files
- 49325 all informed consent forms for parents.pdf
- Consent forms
- 49325 study protocol v1.0 01Oct2022.pdf
- Protocol file
- 49325 statical analysis.pdf
- Statistical Analysis Plan
Editorial Notes
07/04/2026: Trial's existence confirmed by Altınbas University Clinical Research Ethics Committee.
