Page 28 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

EVOLUTION IN TECHNOLOGY: INNOVATION OF TOOTH BRUSHING TRAINING AMONG
SCHOOL CHILDREN
NMRR-19-543-47047

Siti Zuriana MZ

Introduction: Tooth brushing is an effective way of removing plaque, preventing gingivitis,
and managing dental caries. The effectiveness depends not only on the type of toothbrush
but also on proper brushing technique. The teaching of proper brushing technique can be
created by advanced technology. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of tooth brushing
training using “Robotic” technology in improving primary school children’s knowledge of
tooth brushing. Materials and methods: This was an observational study involving
primary schoolchildren aged 8 – 11 years old conducted in Federal Territory of Kuala
Lumpur & Putrajaya from June 2019 to February 2020. The effectiveness was defined as
an improvement in the knowledge of tooth brushing technique before and after the
training using “Robotic”. Training using “Robotic” included demonstrating the tooth
brushing with programmed voice. Tooth brushing training was performed by teachers
during Health Education subject with the assistance of “Robotic”. Knowledge and plaque
scores, measured using O’Leary Index were assessed at the beginning and 6 months later.
Data were analysed by chi squared and t-test. Results: Four hundred and forty-four
primary school children participated in this study consisted of 51% male and 49% female.
Majority of them were Malays with a mean age of 9.54 years old. There was significant
improvement of knowledge (p<0.05) especially observed in these two questions: 1. “How
many times do you need to brush your teeth (93.7%)” and 2. “How many times tooth
brushing movement for each tooth surface (86.9%)”. The plaque scores improved
significantly during second examination (67.8%). Conclusion: Tooth brushing training by
“Robotic” was effective in improving knowledge. This finding is important to support the
method of training in the new norms by reducing human contact and to improve future
oral health education program.

Oral presentation at the 8 USIM National Health Seminar – Digital Healthcare: “Stepping into the Future of Medicine” on
th
7 October 2021. Best oral presenter award
Dr Siti Zuriana binti Mohd Zamzuri
Oral Health Programme
Ministry of Health, Malaysia

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