Online social networks for prevention and promotion of oral health: a systematic review.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of online social networks (OSN) as resources for promoting behaviour changes related to the prevention and promotion of oral health. Methods: This was a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials identified in databases (MEDLINE/Embase/Lilacs), published up until May 2022, and prepared according to Cochrane recommendations. Studies that used OSN (WhatsApp®, Telegram®, TikTok®, Facebook®, Twitter®, YouTube®, Instagram®, Soundcloud®, Flickr®, LinkedIn®, and Webradio®) were included. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021248045). Results: In total, 3171 studies were evaluated, of which 12 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review and contained data on 1669 participants. The most frequently investigated OSN were WhatsApp®, followed by Telegram®, and YouTube®. All studies included were at high risk of bias. Data extraction allowed the meta-analysis of gingival index (GI) and oral health knowledge (OHK) outcomes for young people. Findings revealed that young people exposed to digital interventions via OSN showed a reduction in GI when compared with traditional educational interventions. This reduction occurred in all young people (standardized mean difference, -0.48; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.21; p = 0.0006, I2 = 0%; very low certainty), including those who were undergoing orthodontic treatment (standardized mean difference, -0.58; 95% CI, -0.92 to -0.24; p = 0.0008, I2 = 0%; very low certainty). Furthermore, young people undergoing orthodontic treatment and exposed to OSN showed an increase in OHK when compared with participation in traditional educational interventions (standardized mean difference, +0.86; 95% CI, +0.46 to +1.26; p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%; very low certainty). Conclusion: OSN could be effective tools for improving oral health outcomes in young people.

Objet: Évaluer l'incidence des réseaux sociaux comme ressources pour promouvoir les changements de comportement liés à la prévention et à la promotion de la santé buccodentaire. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'un examen systématique avec méta-analyse d'essais cliniques randomisés répertoriés dans des bases de données (MEDLINE/Embase/Lilacs) publiés jusqu'en mai 2022 et préparés selon les recommandations de Cochrane. Les études utilisant les réseaux sociaux (WhatsApp®, Telegram®, TikTok®, Facebook®, Twitter®, YouTube®, Instagram®, SoundCloud®, Flickr®, LinkedIn®, et Webradio®) ont été incluses. Le protocole a été enregistré dans le PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, numéro CRD42021248045). Résultats: Au total, 3 171 études ont été évaluées. De celles-ci, 12 répondaient aux critères d'inclusion de l'examen et comportaient des données sur 1 669 participants. Les réseaux sociaux qui ont le plus fréquemment fait l'objet d'une enquête sont WhatsApp®, suivi de Telegram® et YouTube®. Toutes les études incluses présentaient un risque élevé de biais. L'extraction des données a permis la méta-analyse des résultats de l'indice gingival (IG) et des connaissances en santé buccodentaire chez les jeunes. Les résultats ont révélé que les jeunes exposés aux interventions numériques par l'intermédiaire des réseaux sociaux présentaient un IG réduit par rapport à ceux exposés aux interventions éducatives traditionnelles. Cette réduction était présente chez tous les jeunes (différence moyenne standardisée, ­0,48; IC à 95 %, ­0,75 à ­0,21; p = 0,0006, I2 = 0 %; certitude très faible), y compris ceux qui suivaient un traitement orthodontique (différence moyenne standardisée, ­0,58; IC à 95 %, ­0,92 à ­0,24; p = 0,0008, I2 = 0 %; certitude très faible). De plus, les jeunes recevant un traitement orthodontique exposés aux réseaux sociaux ont montré une plus grande connaissance en santé buccodentaire que ceux participant aux interventions éducatives traditionnelles (différence moyenne standardisée, +0,86; IC à 95 %, +0,46 à +1,26; p < 0,0001, I2 = 0 %; certitude très faible). Conclusion: Les réseaux sociaux pourraient être des outils efficaces pour améliorer les résultats en matière de santé buccodentaire chez les jeunes.

Oral Health Literacy, Sense of Coherence and Associations With Poor School Performance.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the associations of oral health literacy (OHL), sense of coherence (SOC) and other covariates with self-reported school performance (SRSP) in adolescents enrolled in public schools in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with adolescents aged from 14 to 18 years enrolled in 6 public schools in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Researchers carried out data collection at schools using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The dependent variable was SRSP. The explanatory factors included were sociodemographic characteristics, OHL, SOC, self-rated oral health, health behaviors, and experience of bullying. Analyses included simple and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 385 adolescents with a mean age of 16 years. Poor school performance was associated (95%CI) with being male, with more than 1 sibling, individual whose last visit to the dentist was due to dental pain, with a lower level of OHL and SOC. CONCLUSIONS: OHL and SOC were important factors associated with SRSP performance together with other sociodemographic and oral health-related variables in high school students. Our findings reinforce the importance of intersectoral actions between the health and education sectors to promote better school performance among adolescents, including actions to improve OHL and SOC.