title: The influence of text messaging on oral hygiene effectiveness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether text message reminders regarding oral hygiene have an effect on plaque removal in orthodontic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 50 orthodontic patients were assigned to either a text message or control group. Patients in the text message group received 12 text messages over the course of 4 weeks and one text message for 8 weeks thereafter. Photos were taken at baseline (T0), at 4 weeks after baseline (T1), and at 12 weeks after baseline (T2). For each subject, photos of eight teeth were taken and then the area of the tooth and amount of plaque were measured using planimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference in plaque coverage between baseline and both T1 and T2 in the text message group as measured using planimetry. This was demonstrated by comparing the average measurements of the control group and the treatment group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that the use of automated text message reminders sent from an orthodontic office was effective in improving oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients.
authors.affiliation: a  Graduate Orthodontic Resident, Seton Hill University Center for Orthodontics, Greensburg, Penn.
authors.forename: T Brent
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.affiliation: b  Professor and Program Director, Seton Hill University Center for Orthodontics, Greensburg, Penn.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rinchuse
authors.affiliation: c  Professor, Program in Biostatistics, Seton Hill University Center for Orthodontics, Greensburg, Penn.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.affiliation: d  Graduate Orthodontic Resident, Seton Hill University Center for Orthodontics, Greensburg, Penn.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: DeMaria
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000379:methods; D017010:Reminder Systems; D060145:Text Messaging; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods
keywords: Oral hygiene; Planimetry; Plaque; Text message