Comparative evaluation of audio-visual and verbal education on oral health status of diabetes mellitus patients attending a hospital in Moradabad

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to compare audio-visual and verbal education on the Oral Health status of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Patients attending a Hospital in Moradabad. Materials and Methods: The current longitudinal interventional study was conducted to check the efficiency of audio-visual and verbal education on the Oral Health status of DM Patients attending a Hospital in Moradabad, U. P., India. The World Health Organization Oral Health Pro forma 1997 was used to collect information regarding the Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of the DM patients. After collecting the initial baseline data, the sample was divided into two groups verbal education group (n = 1030) and audio-visual education group (n = 1030). Then, oral health education (OHE) was provided verbally to Group I patients and OHE with audio-visual aids was given to Group II patients visiting Teerthanker Mahaveer Hospital. OHE was repeated after each 2 months. At every 6, 12, and 18 months, clinical examination was repeated to evaluate the effectiveness of OHE. Inspection will be conducted under natural daylight on Hospital premises. Results: A total of 1926 patients attended all the follow-up and review examination. Subject dropout for Group I was 2% with 1009 at 6th month; 3% with 978 at 12th month; and 1% with 967 at 18th month. The subject dropout rate for Group II was 3% with 999 at 6th month; 0% with 999 at 12th month; and 4% with 959 at 18th month. The difference in subject dropout among the groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.23). After 18 months, the number of Type I and Type II DM patients with bleeding, calculus, and pockets was further reduced to 115, 114, and 29, respectively in verbal education group while it reduced to 96, 89, and 16, respectively, in audio-visual education group. The result was found to be statistically significant. At the end of 18 months, the number of Type I and Type II DM patients with decayed teeth were reduced to 486 in verbal education group while it was reduced to 421 in audio-visual education group. The result was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: A main part of oral disease prevention is done by use of personal oral hygiene measures and maintaining oral hygiene. It is the duty of dental professionals to motivate, demonstrate and instruct patients to maintain appropriate oral health and oral hygiene.