The Effect of Personalized Oral Health Education on Oral Hygiene Behavior and Periodontal Health: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Abstract

Aims: The benefits of personalized oral health education on periodontal health are still controversial. This study aims to systematically evaluate the impact of personalized oral health education on periodontal health in the general population through meta-analysis, and to provide evidence-based guidance for governments, medical institutions, and healthcare workers on implementing primary prevention of periodontal problems. Methods: We conducted a search of Chinese and English databases to identify relevant literature published from the inception of each database to December 31, 2023, regarding the impact of personalized oral health education on periodontal health in the general population. Randomized controlled trials that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected, and a quality assessment of the literature was performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool Version 2.0. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0 after the literature quality evaluation. Results: The search yielded 2690 articles. After rigorous screening, a total of eight papers were included, involving 3384 participants. The meta-analysis showed that personalized oral health education, compared with conventional methods, significantly decreased plaque index (PI) (mean difference [MD] = −0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI; −0.63, −0.21], p < 0.0001) and gingival index (GI) (MD = −0.47, 95% CI [−0.67, −0.27], p < 0.0001). It also enhanced self-efficacy and oral health-related quality of life. Moreover, it increased the frequency of toothbrushing and dental flossing, and improved oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior among participants. Conclusion: This study suggests that personalized oral health education can significantly improve periodontal health.