e‐Oral health interventions for older patients in an outreach primary dental care centre: A pilot trial nested acceptability study.

Objective: To compare the acceptability and perceived helpfulness of an e‐Oral Health intervention in form of text messages versus standard dental leaflets provided after a dental visit to patients aged 65 years and over. Background: Oral health care needs for older people are increasing. Remote interventions using e‐Health can ensure oral care is provided despite physical hindrances or situations where dental appointments are limited such as has happened more widely during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Mixed‐method nested study within a pilot trial. Dental patients (n = 150) at an outreach primary dental care centre, ≥ 65 years old, were recruited and randomly allocated to e‐Oral health text messages or leaflet intervention arms. Post‐intervention (6 months), participants responded to open and closed‐ended two‐way survey phone texts. Survey questions investigated: (a) whether they would recommend the intervention, (b) intervention helpfulness and (c) OPEN feedback. Average helpfulness scores (Scale:1= Very Helpful to 5= Not Helpful at All) were compared for each arm using Independent Sample t‐test. Percentage of participants providing positive recommendations in each arm were compared using chi‐squared tests. Qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: N = 68 (45%) responded. Mean helpfulness scores in text group M = 2.2, SD=1.1) and leaflet group M = 2.3, SD=1.9, P =.29. Amongst the text arm respondents, 89% compared with 68.2% in leaflet arm; P =.005 would recommend the intervention. Four qualitative themes were outlined: intervention approach, content, behavioural impact and recommendations. Conclusion: e‐Oral Health text interventions are acceptable and helpful to older people, but these messages need to be tailored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]