Interest in oral health education through digital technologies: a cross-sectional study

Gen Dent. 2021 Nov-Dec;69(6):13-17.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of parents and caregivers of children and adolescents in receiving oral health education through digital technologies. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 150 parents and caregivers who provided sociodemographic data and answered questions about access to and interest in receiving oral health information through digital technologies. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed (P < 0.05). The majority of respondents (74.7%) were female. Most participants had access to the internet (91.3%) and expressed interest (88.0%) in receiving information on oral health through digital messages. Their preferred mode of communication was WhatsApp (73.0%), and they believed that messages about oral health could lead to improved daily oral care at home (95.9%). Women reported searching for health information on the internet more often than men (P = 0.004). Parents and caregivers of children and adolescents expressed interest in receiving information via digital technologies, suggesting that these tools can facilitate education and promote improved oral health.

Keywords: biomedical technology; child; health promotion; oral health.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Caregivers*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Digital Technology*
  • Female
  • Health Education
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Parents