Effectiveness of Customized Animated Video‐Based Oral Health Education Compared With Conventional Model‐Based Education on Oral Hygiene Status and Practices Among Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Single‐Blind Randomized Controlled
Pushpendra Singh, Vinay Kumar Gupta, Sujata Deo, Aman Rajput, Atrey J. Pai KhotABSTRACT
Background
Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase susceptibility to gingival inflammation and periodontal disease, which may adversely affect maternal and fetal health. Effective oral health education during pregnancy is therefore essential. Visually engaging educational tools such as animated videos may improve understanding and adoption of preventive oral hygiene practices.
Aim
To compare the effectiveness of a customized animated video–based oral health education intervention with conventional model‐based education on oral hygiene status, behavioural practices, and selected pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women.
Methods
This single‐blind, parallel‐group randomized controlled trial included 92 pregnant women in their second trimester attending a tertiary care hospital between June 2024 and March 2025. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving customized animated video‐based education or a control group receiving conventional model‐based education. Clinical parameters including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), and Modified Periodontal Screening Score (mPESS), along with oral hygiene practices assessed through a validated questionnaire, were recorded at baseline, three months, and six months. Delivery outcomes were obtained postpartum. Statistical analysis included repeated‐measures ANOVA or Friedman tests for within‐group comparisons and Mann–Whitney U or chi‐square tests for between‐group comparisons. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was additionally performed to adjust for baseline gingival index differences.
Results
Seventy‐one participants completed the six‐month follow‐up (experimental = 26; control = 31). Both groups showed significant improvements in GI and PI, and oral hygiene practices over time ( p < 0.001). At six months, the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower GI ( p < 0.001) and PI scores ( p = 0.011) compared with the control group. Behavioural improvements were also greater in the experimental group. No statistically significant differences were observed in preterm birth, delivery type, or infant birth weight.
Conclusions
Within the limitations of the present study, customized animated video–based oral health education demonstrated greater improvement in gingival health, plaque control, and oral hygiene behaviours compared with conventional model‐based education among pregnant women.
Trial Registration
The study was submitted to the Clinical Trials Registry–India (CTRI) under Reference No. REF/2026/02/125268.