An interventional study of Verbal Motivation and Model Demonstration in Oral Hygiene Motivation, Oral Hygiene and Dental Plaque, sponsored by Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University. Completed at 1 site in Cyprus. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 28 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-04.
Sponsored by Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of three oral hygiene motivation methods on dental plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation among Dentistry and Psychology students. It also aimed to evaluate whether the effects of these methods differed according to academic department.
This randomized clinical trial included 120 students aged 18-28 years who were enrolled in the Dentistry and Psychology departments at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University. Participants were randomly assigned within each department to one of three oral hygiene motivation methods: verbal instruction, dental model demonstration, or plaque-disclosing agent-supported motivation.
All participants received the same standardized oral hygiene content, information leaflet, toothbrush, and toothpaste, while the motivational approach differed between groups. Professional scaling and polishing were also performed for all participants. The Silness-Löe Plaque Index (PI) and Löe-Silness Gingival Index (GI) were recorded at baseline and three weeks after the intervention.
The study evaluated changes in plaque and gingival indices to compare the effectiveness of the three motivation methods and assess whether their effects differed between Dentistry and Psychology students.
This single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted among Dentistry and Psychology students at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University between December 2025 and February 2026. The primary aim was to compare the short-term effects of three oral hygiene motivation methods on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. The secondary aim was to evaluate whether the effects of these methods differed between Dentistry and Psychology students.
A total of 120 students aged 18-28 years participated in the study, including 60 Dentistry students and 60 Psychology students. Within each academic department, participants were randomly allocated to one of three motivation methods using computer-generated random allocation sequences. Six study groups were formed, each consisting of 20 participants.
At baseline (T0), plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation were assessed using the Silness-Löe Plaque Index (PI) and Löe-Silness Gingival Index (GI), respectively. Following these assessments, the assigned motivation intervention was delivered in a single session. All participants received the same standardized core oral hygiene information covering dental plaque, toothbrushing, and interdental cleaning. However, the groups differed in how this information was delivered and in the motivational approach used. In the verbal motivation group, the information was delivered verbally. In the dental model demonstration group, the same information was demonstrated on a dental model. In the plaque-disclosing agent-supported group, dental plaque was visualized intraorally using a plaque-disclosing tablet, and individualized visual feedback was provided using a mirror.
After completion of the group-specific motivation interventions, all participants underwent professional scaling and polishing on the same day. All participants also received the same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet, toothbrush, and toothpaste. No additional motivational intervention or reminder was provided during the three-week follow-up period.
Clinical measurements at baseline (T0) and three weeks after the intervention (T1) were performed by a separate examiner who was unaware of the participants' group assignments. Changes in plaque and gingival indices were evaluated to compare the effects of the three motivation methods. Additionally, the study examined whether these effects differed between Dentistry and Psychology students.
352 studies on the registry are indexed under Dental Plaque; 60 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 120 is above the median of 56 across 316 interventional studies indexed under Dental Plaque.
Browse Dental Plaque studies →Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University is the lead sponsor of 4 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
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You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
This arm included 20 Dentistry students. At baseline (T0), plaque and gingival indices were measured before the intervention. Participants then received standardized oral hygiene education delivered verbally, together with a standardized oral hygiene information leaflet. Following the motivation intervention, professional scaling and polishing were performed, and participants received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other study groups. Plaque and gingival indices were reassessed three weeks after the intervention (T1).
Behavioral: Verbal Motivation
This arm included 20 Dentistry students. At baseline (T0), plaque and gingival indices were measured before the intervention. The researcher then demonstrated the standardized oral hygiene content, which was identical across all study groups, on a dental model. Participants also received the same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet provided to all groups. Following the motivation intervention, professional scaling and polishing were performed, and participants received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other study groups. Plaque and gingival indices were reassessed three weeks after the intervention (T1).
Behavioral: Model Demonstration
This arm included 20 Dentistry students. At baseline (T0), plaque and gingival indices were measured before the intervention. Participants then received standardized oral hygiene education supported by intraoral application of TePe PlaqSearch™ plaque-disclosing tablets. The disclosed plaque areas were shown to participants using a mirror, inadequately cleaned areas were pointed out, and individualized visual feedback was provided. Participants also received the same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet as all other groups. Following the intervention, professional scaling and polishing were performed, and participants received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other groups. Plaque and gingival indices were reassessed three weeks after the intervention (T1).
Behavioral: Plaque Disclosing
This arm included 20 Psychology students. At baseline (T0), plaque and gingival indices were measured before the intervention. Participants then received standardized oral hygiene education delivered verbally, together with a standardized oral hygiene information leaflet. Following the motivation intervention, professional scaling and polishing were performed, and participants received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other study groups. Plaque and gingival indices were reassessed three weeks after the intervention (T1).
Behavioral: Verbal Motivation
This arm included 20 Psychology students. At baseline (T0), plaque and gingival indices were measured before the intervention. The researcher then demonstrated the standardized oral hygiene content, which was identical across all study groups, on a dental model. Participants also received the same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet provided to all groups. Following the motivation intervention, professional scaling and polishing were performed, and participants received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other study groups. Plaque and gingival indices were reassessed three weeks after the intervention (T1).
Behavioral: Model Demonstration
This arm included 20 Psychology students. At baseline (T0), plaque and gingival indices were measured before the intervention. Participants then received standardized oral hygiene education supported by intraoral application of TePe PlaqSearch™ plaque-disclosing tablets. The disclosed plaque areas were shown to participants using a mirror, inadequately cleaned areas were pointed out, and individualized visual feedback was provided. Participants also received the same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet as all other groups. Following the intervention, professional scaling and polishing were performed, and participants received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other groups. Plaque and gingival indices were reassessed three weeks after the intervention (T1).
Behavioral: Plaque Disclosing
Participants received a single session of standardized oral hygiene education delivered verbally after baseline plaque and gingival index measurements. The education covered oral hygiene, dental plaque, toothbrushing, and interdental cleaning, including recommendations to brush twice daily for two minutes and use dental floss daily. The same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet was provided to all study groups. Following the motivation session, participants underwent professional scaling and polishing and received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other groups. No additional motivational intervention or reminder was provided during the three-week follow-up period.
Participants received a single session of standardized oral hygiene education demonstrated by the researcher on a dental model after baseline plaque and gingival index measurements. The education covered oral hygiene, dental plaque, toothbrushing, and interdental cleaning, including recommendations to brush twice daily for two minutes and use dental floss daily. The same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet was provided to all study groups. Following the motivation session, participants underwent professional scaling and polishing and received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other groups. No additional motivational intervention or reminder was provided during the three-week follow-up period.
Participants received a single session of standardized oral hygiene education supported by intraoral application of TePe PlaqSearch™ plaque-disclosing tablets after baseline plaque and gingival index measurements. Disclosed plaque areas were shown using a mirror, inadequately cleaned areas were pointed out, and individualized visual feedback was provided. The education included recommendations to brush twice daily for two minutes and use dental floss daily. The same standardized oral hygiene information leaflet was provided to all study groups. Following the motivation session, participants underwent professional scaling and polishing and received the same toothbrush and toothpaste as the other groups. No additional motivational intervention or reminder was provided during the three-week follow-up period.
Change in Plaque Index (Silness-Löe) from Baseline to Three Weeks
Dental plaque accumulation was assessed using the Silness-Löe Plaque Index (1964). The buccal/facial, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces of all evaluable teeth, excluding third molars, were scored on a scale from 0 (no plaque) to 3 (abundant plaque accumulation). The mean score across evaluated sites was calculated for each participant. Change was calculated as the three-week score minus the baseline score (T1-T0). Negative values indicate a reduction in plaque accumulation.
Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 weeks after intervention (T1)
Change in Gingival Index (Löe-Silness) from Baseline to Three Weeks
Gingival inflammation was assessed using the Löe-Silness Gingival Index (1963). The distofacial papilla, facial gingival margin, mesiofacial papilla, and lingual gingival margin of all evaluable teeth, excluding third molars, were scored on a scale from 0 (normal gingiva) to 3 (severe inflammation). The mean score across evaluated sites was calculated for each participant. Change was calculated as the three-week score minus the baseline score (T1-T0). Negative values indicate a reduction in gingival inflammation.
Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 weeks after intervention (T1)
Plan to share: No
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Ran from Dec 2025 to primary completion in Feb 2026, 2 months.
Of 133 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Dental Plaque, half reached primary completion within 7 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 16. This study's 2 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 178 studies reached it within 6 months; a quarter within 2 and three quarters within 14.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University