Design and evaluation of a digital patient education platform for oral health promotion

Thesis Abstract

The increasing prevalence of oral health problems and persistent barriers to effective patient education necessitate innovative approaches to promote oral hygiene practices. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a digital patient education platform tailored to enhance oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among adult patients in dental clinics. The specific objectives include (1) developing a user-centered digital platform integrating evidence-based oral health information; (2) assessing the usability and acceptability of the platform; (3) measuring the platform’s impact on patients’ oral health knowledge and self-reported behaviors; and (4) evaluating the overall effectiveness of the intervention in improving oral health outcomes. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to generate comprehensive insights. The quantitative component involved a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design, while the qualitative strand employed semi-structured interviews to explore user experiences. The study population comprised 300 adult patients attending dental clinics in a metropolitan area, stratified into intervention and control groups, with 150 participants each. Participants were recruited through systematic sampling, with the intervention group granted access to the digital platform. Data collection instruments included a validated oral health knowledge questionnaire, a self-reported oral hygiene behavior survey, and usability scales such as the System Usability Scale (SUS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests for within-group comparisons, independent t-tests for between-group differences, and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of behavioral change. Thematic analysis was employed to elucidate qualitative feedback regarding user experience. The study anticipates that participants exposed to the digital platform will demonstrate statistically significant improvements in oral health knowledge scores (p < 0.01), adoption of recommended oral hygiene behaviors (p < 0.05), and higher satisfaction levels, as measured by SUS scores exceeding 70. The analysis expects to reveal that perceived usefulness, ease of use, and user engagement are significant predictors of behavioral modification, aligning with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Additionally, the study aims to identify barriers and facilitators through qualitative feedback, providing insights into platform design enhancements. This research contributes to knowledge by empirically demonstrating the effectiveness of digital health interventions in oral health promotion within clinical settings, extending existing models of health education through the integration of user-centered design and evidence-based content. It offers a validated framework for deploying scalable, accessible, and engaging patient education tools that can be integrated into routine dental practice, addressing disparities in oral health literacy. The study concludes that a well-designed digital patient education platform significantly enhances oral health literacy and self-care behaviors, thereby potentially reducing oral disease burden. Based on these findings, recommendations include incorporating digital platforms into standard patient education protocols, tailoring content to diverse patient populations, and fostering continual user feedback for iterative improvements. Future research is suggested to explore longitudinal impacts, integration with electronic health records, and the scalability of digital education tools across different demographic and geographic contexts. This study underscores the vital role of innovative digital solutions in advancing oral health promotion strategies and improving patient outcomes in contemporary dental practice.