Oral health education in cardiac rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial of face-to-face and digital interventions

Oral health education in cardiac rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial of face-to-face and digital interventions. Download PDF Abstract Despite the evidence supporting an association between oral disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD), oral health as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular health is rarely addressed. This randomised clinical trial (1:1:1) evaluated whether oral health education improves oral hygiene behaviours and knowledge of individuals attending cardiac rehabilitation.

Three interventions were compared: individualised oral hygiene instruction (OHI) combined with a digital oral health education (DOHE) package, DOHE alone, or usual care: no oral health education. The primary outcome was improvement in oral hygiene, assessed by the approximal plaque index (API) at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included API reductions at 12 weeks, as well as self-reported changes in oral hygiene behaviours, knowledge, confidence, status, and motivation.

A total of 158 participants were randomised (mean age 62 (11) years; 82.3% males). At 6 weeks, 77.1% (27/35) of participants receiving OHI + DOHE showed a reduction in API, compared to 26.8% (11/51) receiving usual care (odds ratio [OR] 9.16, 95% CI: 3.34–27.75). Participants receiving DOHE alone showed similar reductions.

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