Oral Health Behavior and Plaque Index After Quitee App Use In Children Aged 8–11 Years

Abstract

Background:Interactive digital education may support oral health promotion among school-aged children. This study described temporal changes in oral health behavior and plaque index following exposure to the Android-based Quitee application among children aged 8–11 years. Methods: A one-group pre-experimental time-series study was conducted among 126 students at SD Negeri Tamamaung I, Makassar, Indonesia, selected by proportionate stratified random sampling from 183 students. Participants used Quitee in three supervised sessions per week for three weeks (approximately 30 minutes per session). Behavior was assessed using a 13-item yes/no questionnaire, and plaque was assessed on six index teeth using the Löe and Silness Plaque Index. Measurements were taken at baseline and at three weekly posttests. Overall differences were analyzed using the Friedman test, followed by paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Holm adjustment. Results: Median behavior scores at baseline and Posttests 1–3 were 8.0, 10.5, 11.0, and 12.0, respectively; median plaque-index scores were 1.80, 1.50, 1.30, and 1.20. Overall differences were significant for behavior (χ²(3)=236.46, p<0.001; Kendall’s W=0.626) and plaque index (χ²(3)=378.00, p<0.001; Kendall’s W=1.000). All six paired comparisons for each outcome remained significant after adjustment (adjusted p<0.001). Conclusion: Behavior scores increased and plaque-index values decreased over the measurement period following Quitee exposure. Because the study had no control group, these changes cannot be attributed specifically to the application. Controlled studies with longer follow-up are needed.