Dental CariesNCT07363317
Assessing the Impact of a Social Media-Based Educational Intervention Using WhatsApp Video Messages on Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Oral Hygiene Practices, and Attitudes Toward Dental Health Among Primary School Children Aged 10-12 Years in Public Schools in Cairo Governorate, Egypt: A Quasi-
A study testing WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for Children in people with Dental Caries and Oral Health Behavior Change, run by Rana Mohamed Ahmed Farghal at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to learn if educational videos sent through WhatsApp can improve dental health knowledge, healthy habits, and attitudes in primary school children aged 10 to 12 years in Cairo, Egypt. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 12 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior Change, Oral Hygiene, Oral Health
- What is being tested?
- WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for Children
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 30 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 12 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 10 to 12 years (Grades 5 or 6)
- Enrolled in the selected public primary school in Cairo, Egypt
- Able to understand and speak Arabic
- Parent or legal guardian provides written informed consent
- Child provides verbal assent to participate
- Child or parent has access to a smartphone with WhatsApp (for intervention group only)
- Child or parent willing to join WhatsApp group and view educational videos (for intervention group only)
- Able to complete questionnaire interview in Arabic
Who cannot join
- Children with severe cognitive or developmental disabilities that would prevent understanding questionnaire items or educational content
- Children with serious chronic medical conditions requiring intensive medical care that would interfere with study participation
- Children who are unable to attend school regularly (more than 2 days absence per week on average)
- Children who plan to transfer to another school during the study period (8 weeks)
- Children whose parents refuse consent or who refuse to provide assent
- Children currently participating in another dental health education program or clinical trial
- For intervention group: children or parents without smartphone access or unwilling to use WhatsApp
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site
Mount International School, New Administrative Capital
Cairo, Cairo Governorate
Diaa M Omar, PhD, 010227400700, diaaomar@gmail.com
Ahmed M Soliman, B.S.C, 01065636341, traininghealthinsurance1@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Educational Intervention (WhatsApp) on Dental Health Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes Among Primary School Children Aged 10-12 Years in Cairo, Egypt: A Quasi-Experimental Study
The goal of this study is to learn if educational videos sent through WhatsApp can improve dental health knowledge, healthy habits, and attitudes in primary school children aged 10 to 12 years in Cairo, Egypt.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Do children who receive dental health videos through WhatsApp have better knowledge about caring for their teeth after 8 weeks compared to children who do not receive the videos?
- Do children who watch the videos brush their teeth more often and correctly, and make healthier food choices?
- Do children who watch the videos feel more positive about taking care of their teeth and visiting the dentist?
Researchers will compare children in Grade 5 who receive 6 short dental health videos through WhatsApp (one video per week for 6 weeks) to children in Grade 6 who continue their normal school activities to see if the videos lead to better knowledge, healthy habits, and more positive attitudes about dental health.
Participants will:
- Answer questions about their dental health knowledge, tooth brushing and eating habits, and feelings about dental care at the start of the study (takes about 15 to 20 minutes in a private room at school)
- Children in Grade 5 will join a WhatsApp group and receive one short video (2 to 5 minutes) each week for 6 weeks about topics like why teeth are important, how to brush teeth correctly, which foods are goo
Read the detailed description
STUDY DESIGN AND RATIONALE
This is a quasi-experimental pre-post study with a non-equivalent control group. The study compares WhatsApp-delivered video-based educational intervention (intervention group) to standard school activities (control group) among primary school children aged 10-12 years in Cairo, Egypt.
Quasi-experimental design was chosen because randomization at the individual level was not feasible in the school setting. To minimize contamination between groups, children were assigned by grade level: all Grade 5 students form the intervention group, and all Grade 6 students form the control group. This approach reduces daily interaction between groups while maintaining comparable baseline characteristics.
The intervention is based on social cognitive theory, which emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, and behavioral modeling. Videos were selected to demonstrate proper techniques, provide positive role models, and build confidence in children's ability to practice good oral health behaviors.
INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION
Intervention Group (Grade 5, n=75):
Children will receive 6 educational videos about dental health via a closed WhatsApp group over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM).
Video Content and Delivery Schedule:
Week 1 - "Why Do We Need Teeth?" (3:58 minutes) Topics: Dental anatomy and tooth functions (chewing, speaking, smiling), consequences of tooth loss, importance of caring for baby teeth, introduction to tooth decay. Format: Animated educational video with Arabic voiceover.
Week 2 - "The Right Way to Brush Our Teeth" (4:17 minutes) Topics: Step-by-step brushing technique (circular motion), brushing all surfaces (outer, inner, chewing), tongue brushing, frequency (twice daily), duration (2 minutes), replacing toothbrush every 3 months. Format: Animated demonstration with catchy song and visual instructions.
Week 3 - "Foods That Harm Our Teeth" (3-4 minutes) Topics: How sugary foods and drinks feed bacteria to produce acid causing cavities, sticky foods, frequent snacking, identifying unhealthy foods (candy, soda, cookies), limiting sugar intake. Format: Interactive animated video with visual categorization.
Week 4 - "Foods Good for Our Teeth" (3-4 minutes) Topics: Calcium-rich foods (milk, cheese, yogurt) strengthen teeth, crunchy fruits and vegetables naturally clean teeth, water rinses the mouth, importance of balanced diet for oral health. Format: Animated educational video.
Week 5 - "Why Do We Go to the Dentist?" (2-4 minutes) Topics: What happens during a dental checkup (examination, cleaning), professional cleaning removes plaque, importance of preventive care, recommended visit frequency (every 6 months), making dental visits fun instead of scary. Format: Animated story or live-action video showing positive dental visit experience.
Week 6 - "Fun Tips for Healthy Teeth" (2-3 minutes) Topics: Review of key messages, creative ways to make brushing fun (brushing to a song for 2 minutes, family brushing time, friendly competitions), establishing morning and evening routines, celebrating healthy smiles, positive reinforcement and encouragement. Format: Musical video with children singing and performing.
All videos were selected based on: high-quality production (clear audio/video), evidence-based content (aligned with WHO and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines), age-appropriateness (10-12 years), cultural relevance (Arabic language, Egyptian context), engaging format (animation, demonstration, music), appropriate length (2-5 minutes), positive tone (encouraging, not fear-based), no commercial content, educational value, and positive viewer feedback.
WhatsApp Group Management:
A closed WhatsApp group named "Healthy Teeth Friends" will include 75 intervention group children and approximately 45 parents (60%) who optionally choose to join, with the researcher as group administrator.
Each weekly post includes: friendly greeting in Arabic, 2-3 sentence introduction about the week's topic, YouTube video link, encouraging message, and relevant emoji. Mid-week reminders will be sent to children who have not viewed the video within 48 hours. The researcher will monitor the group daily, respond to questions within 24 hours, and document intervention fidelity including date/time of posting, number of views within 48 hours, number of questions and reactions, and responses provided.
Control Group (Grade 6, n=75):
Children will continue their usual school and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the 8-week study period. They will be informed that a second assessment will occur in May. After completing post-intervention assessments, the control group will be invited to a separate WhatsApp group to receive all 6 educational videos for ethical reciprocity.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Primary Outcome:
Dental Health Knowledge
- Conditions
- Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior Change, Oral Hygiene, Oral Health, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Child Behavioral Health, Preventive Health Care
- Being tested
- WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for Children
- Keywords
- Dental Health Education, WhatsApp, Mobile Health, Children Oral Health, Primary School Children, Dental Caries Prevention, Video-Based Learning, Oral Hygiene
- Medical subject headings
- Dental Caries, Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for ChildrenBehavioural
Also called Social Media-Based Oral Health Promotion, Digital Dental Health Education Program, mHealth Educational Intervention, Video-Enhanced Health Literacy Intervention
Six educational videos about dental health delivered via a closed WhatsApp group over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM). Each video is 2-5 minutes long, features Arabic voiceover with colorful animations, and is age-appropriate for children aged 10-12 years. Video topics: Week 1 - Importance of teeth (anatomy, functions, consequences of tooth loss), Week 2 - Proper brushing technique (circular motion, all surfaces, 2-minute duration, twice daily), Week 3 - Foods that harm teeth (sugary foods, sticky snacks, frequent eating), Week 4 - Foods good for teeth (calcium-rich foods, crunchy vegetables, water), Week 5 - Importance of dental visits (professional cleaning, preventive care, reducing fear), Week 6 - Fun tips for healthy smiles (review, establishing routines, positive reinforcement). All videos selected based on evidence-based content aligned with WHO and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Grade 5 students (n=75) who receive six educational videos about dental health delivered via WhatsApp over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM). Videos are 2-5 minutes long and cover: Week 1 - Why teeth are important, Week 2 - Proper brushing technique, Week 3 - Foods that harm teeth, Week 4 - Foods good for teeth, Week 5 - Importance of dental visits, Week 6 - Fun tips for healthy smiles. All videos are in Arabic with colorful animations appropriate for children aged 10-12 years. Children are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8). Receives: Behavioral: WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for Children |
| Control Group | No intervention | Grade 6 students (n=75) who continue their usual school curriculum and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the 8-week study period. Children are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and at Week 8 using the same questionnaires as the intervention group. After completing post-intervention assessments, this group will be invited to join a separate WhatsApp group to receive all six educational videos for ethical reciprocity. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Dental Health Knowledge Score
Change in dental health knowledge from baseline to Week 8, measured using a validated 10-item questionnaire. Each correct answer scores 1 point (total score range 0-10, with higher scores indicating better knowledge). Questions assess knowledge about tooth anatomy and functions, causes of tooth decay, proper brushing technique, recommended brushing frequency and duration, beneficial and harmful foods for teeth, and importance of regular dental visits. Good knowledge is defined as a score of 8 or higher out of 10. The primary outcome is the mean change in knowledge score between baseline and Week 8.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Dental Health Practices Score
Change in oral health practices from baseline to Week 8, measured using a validated 9-item questionnaire (total score range 0-18, with higher scores indicating better practices). Items assess toothbrushing frequency (twice daily), duration (2 minutes), technique (all tooth surfaces), fluoride toothpaste use, consumption of sugary foods and drinks, eating between meals, eating sweets before bed, rinsing mouth after meals, and eating vegetables and fruits. Each item scores 0-2 points based on adherence to recommended practices. Good practices are defined as a score of 13 or higher out of 18. The outcome is the mean change in practices score between baseline and Week 8.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion20 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Dental CariesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a two-arm parallel group quasi-experimental study. Participants are assigned to one of two groups based on grade level at enrollment and remain in their assigned group throughout the 8-week study period. The intervention group (Grade 5 students, n=75) receives six educational videos about dental health delivered via WhatsApp over 6 weeks (one video per week). The control group (Grade 6 students, n=75) continues usual school and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the study period. Both groups are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8) using identical questionnaires measuring dental health knowledge, practices, and attitudes. This parallel design was chosen to minimize contamination between groups by utilizing different grade levels that have limited daily interaction.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Rana Mohamed Ahmed Farghal
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Military Medical Academy, Bulgaria, Cairo University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Rana Mohamed Ahmed Farghal, Military Medical Academy,Egypt
- Investigators
- Passant Nagi, PHD, Study director, Cairo University, Military Medical AcademyRana M FARGHAL, B.D.S., Principal investigator, Military Medical Academy, Bulgaria
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07363317
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MMA-DENT-2026-001
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect the privacy of child participants and comply with ethical approval conditions. Summary results will be publicly available through the study's published thesis, peer-reviewed journal articles, and aggregate results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Publications
Soldani F, Wu J. School based oral health education. Evid Based Dent. 2018 Jun;19(2):36-37. doi: 10.1038/sj.ebd.6401298.
PubMed 29930371Towle-Miller LM, Miecznikowski JC, Zhang F, Tritchler DL. SuMO-Fil: Supervised multi-omic filtering prior to performing network analysis. PLoS One. 2021 Aug 3;16(8):e0255579. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255579. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 34343218Cooper AM, O'Malley LA, Elison SN, Armstrong R, Burnside G, Adair P, Dugdill L, Pine C. Primary school-based behavioural interventions for preventing caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 May 31;2013(5):CD009378. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009378.pub2.
PubMed 23728691Social Media Interventions Chen Y, Smith M, Johnson K. Social media interventions for health promotion among adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. Digital Health. 2025;11:20552076251234568.
Type: Other Full Citation: Hassan NM, Gaber A, El-Sayed MH. Oral health status, knowledge, and behaviors among school children in Cairo, Egypt, and their impact on quality of life. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2019;11:369-380.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Educational Intervention (WhatsApp) on Dental Health Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes Among Primary School Children Aged 10-12 Years in Cairo, Egypt: A Quasi-Experimental Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07363317
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MMA-DENT-2026-001
- Conditions
- Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior Change, Oral Hygiene, Oral Health, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Child Behavioral Health, Preventive Health Care
- Keywords
- Dental Health Education, WhatsApp, Mobile Health, Children Oral Health, Primary School Children, Dental Caries Prevention, Video-Based Learning, Oral Hygiene
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Rana Mohamed Ahmed FarghalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Military Medical Academy, Bulgaria, Cairo University
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 20 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this study is to learn if educational videos sent through WhatsApp can improve dental health knowledge, healthy habits, and attitudes in primary school children aged 10 to 12 years in Cairo, Egypt.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Do children who receive dental health videos through WhatsApp have better knowledge about caring for their teeth after 8 weeks compared to children who do not receive the videos?
- Do children who watch the videos brush their teeth more often and correctly, and make healthier food choices?
- Do children who watch the videos feel more positive about taking care of their teeth and visiting the dentist?
Researchers will compare children in Grade 5 who receive 6 short dental health videos through WhatsApp (one video per week for 6 weeks) to children in Grade 6 who continue their normal school activities to see if the videos lead to better knowledge, healthy habits, and more positive attitudes about dental health.
Participants will:
- Answer questions about their dental health knowledge, tooth brushing and eating habits, and feelings about dental care at the start of the study (takes about 15 to 20 minutes in a private room at school)
- Children in Grade 5 will join a WhatsApp group and receive one short video (2 to 5 minutes) each week for 6 weeks about topics like why teeth are important, how to brush teeth correctly, which foods are goo
Detailed description
STUDY DESIGN AND RATIONALE
This is a quasi-experimental pre-post study with a non-equivalent control group. The study compares WhatsApp-delivered video-based educational intervention (intervention group) to standard school activities (control group) among primary school children aged 10-12 years in Cairo, Egypt.
Quasi-experimental design was chosen because randomization at the individual level was not feasible in the school setting. To minimize contamination between groups, children were assigned by grade level: all Grade 5 students form the intervention group, and all Grade 6 students form the control group. This approach reduces daily interaction between groups while maintaining comparable baseline characteristics.
The intervention is based on social cognitive theory, which emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, and behavioral modeling. Videos were selected to demonstrate proper techniques, provide positive role models, and build confidence in children's ability to practice good oral health behaviors.
INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION
Intervention Group (Grade 5, n=75):
Children will receive 6 educational videos about dental health via a closed WhatsApp group over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM).
Video Content and Delivery Schedule:
Week 1 - "Why Do We Need Teeth?" (3:58 minutes) Topics: Dental anatomy and tooth functions (chewing, speaking, smiling), consequences of tooth loss, importance of caring for baby teeth, introduction to tooth decay. Format: Animated educational video with Arabic voiceover.
Week 2 - "The Right Way to Brush Our Teeth" (4:17 minutes) Topics: Step-by-step brushing technique (circular motion), brushing all surfaces (outer, inner, chewing), tongue brushing, frequency (twice daily), duration (2 minutes), replacing toothbrush every 3 months. Format: Animated demonstration with catchy song and visual instructions.
Week 3 - "Foods That Harm Our Teeth" (3-4 minutes) Topics: How sugary foods and drinks feed bacteria to produce acid causing cavities, sticky foods, frequent snacking, identifying unhealthy foods (candy, soda, cookies), limiting sugar intake. Format: Interactive animated video with visual categorization.
Week 4 - "Foods Good for Our Teeth" (3-4 minutes) Topics: Calcium-rich foods (milk, cheese, yogurt) strengthen teeth, crunchy fruits and vegetables naturally clean teeth, water rinses the mouth, importance of balanced diet for oral health. Format: Animated educational video.
Week 5 - "Why Do We Go to the Dentist?" (2-4 minutes) Topics: What happens during a dental checkup (examination, cleaning), professional cleaning removes plaque, importance of preventive care, recommended visit frequency (every 6 months), making dental visits fun instead of scary. Format: Animated story or live-action video showing positive dental visit experience.
Week 6 - "Fun Tips for Healthy Teeth" (2-3 minutes) Topics: Review of key messages, creative ways to make brushing fun (brushing to a song for 2 minutes, family brushing time, friendly competitions), establishing morning and evening routines, celebrating healthy smiles, positive reinforcement and encouragement. Format: Musical video with children singing and performing.
All videos were selected based on: high-quality production (clear audio/video), evidence-based content (aligned with WHO and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines), age-appropriateness (10-12 years), cultural relevance (Arabic language, Egyptian context), engaging format (animation, demonstration, music), appropriate length (2-5 minutes), positive tone (encouraging, not fear-based), no commercial content, educational value, and positive viewer feedback.
WhatsApp Group Management:
A closed WhatsApp group named "Healthy Teeth Friends" will include 75 intervention group children and approximately 45 parents (60%) who optionally choose to join, with the researcher as group administrator.
Each weekly post includes: friendly greeting in Arabic, 2-3 sentence introduction about the week's topic, YouTube video link, encouraging message, and relevant emoji. Mid-week reminders will be sent to children who have not viewed the video within 48 hours. The researcher will monitor the group daily, respond to questions within 24 hours, and document intervention fidelity including date/time of posting, number of views within 48 hours, number of questions and reactions, and responses provided.
Control Group (Grade 6, n=75):
Children will continue their usual school and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the 8-week study period. They will be informed that a second assessment will occur in May. After completing post-intervention assessments, the control group will be invited to a separate WhatsApp group to receive all 6 educational videos for ethical reciprocity.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Primary Outcome:
Dental Health Knowledge
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This is a two-arm parallel group quasi-experimental study. Participants are assigned to one of two groups based on grade level at enrollment and remain in their assigned group throughout the 8-week study period. The intervention group (Grade 5 students, n=75) receives six educational videos about dental health delivered via WhatsApp over 6 weeks (one video per week). The control group (Grade 6 students, n=75) continues usual school and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the study period. Both groups are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8) using identical questionnaires measuring dental health knowledge, practices, and attitudes. This parallel design was chosen to minimize contamination between groups by utilizing different grade levels that have limited daily interaction.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for ChildrenGrade 5 students (n=75) who receive six educational videos about dental health delivered via WhatsApp over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM). Videos are 2-5 minutes long and cover: Week 1 - Why teeth are important, Week 2 - Proper brushing technique, Week 3 - Foods that harm teeth, Week 4 - Foods good for teeth, Week 5 - Importance of dental visits, Week 6 - Fun tips for healthy smiles. All videos are in Arabic with colorful animations appropriate for children aged 10-12 years. Children are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8). |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Grade 6 students (n=75) who continue their usual school curriculum and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the 8-week study period. Children are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and at Week 8 using the same questionnaires as the intervention group. After completing post-intervention assessments, this group will be invited to join a separate WhatsApp group to receive all six educational videos for ethical reciprocity. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Children aged 10 to 12 years (Grades 5 or 6)
- Enrolled in the selected public primary school in Cairo, Egypt
- Able to understand and speak Arabic
- Parent or legal guardian provides written informed consent
- Child provides verbal assent to participate
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Children with severe cognitive or developmental disabilities that would prevent understanding questionnaire items or educational content
- Children with serious chronic medical conditions requiring intensive medical care that would interfere with study participation
- Children who are unable to attend school regularly (more than 2 days absence per week on average)
- Children who plan to transfer to another school during the study period (8 weeks)
- Children whose parents refuse consent or who refuse to provide assent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for ChildrenAlso: Social Media-Based Oral Health Promotion, Digital Dental Health Education Program, mHealth Educational Intervention, Video-Enhanced Health Literacy InterventionSix educational videos about dental health delivered via a closed WhatsApp group over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM). Each video is 2-5 minutes long, features Arabic voiceover with colorful animations, and is age-appropriate for children aged 10-12 years. Video topics: Week 1 - Importance of teeth (anatomy, functions, consequences of tooth loss), Week 2 - Proper brushing technique (circular motion, all surfaces, 2-minute duration, twice daily), Week 3 - Foods that harm teeth (sugary foods, sticky snacks, frequent eating), Week 4 - Foods good for teeth (calcium-rich foods, crunchy vegetables, water), Week 5 - Importance of dental visits (professional cleaning, preventive care, reducing fear), Week 6 - Fun tips for healthy smiles (review, establishing routines, positive reinforcement). All videos selected based on evidence-based content aligned with WHO and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines. | Behavioural | Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Dental Health Knowledge Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline
Change in dental health knowledge from baseline to Week 8, measured using a validated 10-item questionnaire. Each correct answer scores 1 point (total score range 0-10, with higher scores indicating better knowledge). Questions assess knowledge about tooth anatomy and functions, causes of tooth decay, proper brushing technique, recommended brushing frequency and duration, beneficial and harmful foods for teeth, and importance of regular dental visits. Good knowledge is defined as a score of 8 or higher out of 10. The primary outcome is the mean change in knowledge score between baseline and Week 8.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Dental Health Practices Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 29930371Soldani F, Wu J. School based oral health education. Evid Based Dent. 2018 Jun;19(2):36-37. doi: 10.1038/sj.ebd.6401298.
- Results publication: PubMed 34343218Towle-Miller LM, Miecznikowski JC, Zhang F, Tritchler DL. SuMO-Fil: Supervised multi-omic filtering prior to performing network analysis. PLoS One. 2021 Aug 3;16(8):e0255579. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255579. eCollection 2021.
- Results publication: PubMed 23728691Cooper AM, O'Malley LA, Elison SN, Armstrong R, Burnside G, Adair P, Dugdill L, Pine C. Primary school-based behavioural interventions for preventing caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 May 31;2013(5):CD009378. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009378.pub2.
- Results publicationSocial Media Interventions Chen Y, Smith M, Johnson K. Social media interventions for health promotion among adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. Digital Health. 2025;11:20552076251234568.
- Results publicationType: Other Full Citation: Hassan NM, Gaber A, El-Sayed MH. Oral health status, knowledge, and behaviors among school children in Cairo, Egypt, and their impact on quality of life. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2019;11:369-380.
- WHO oral health guidelines and school health programsLink provided by the sponsor.
- Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population - School health initiativesLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared to protect the privacy of child participants and comply with ethical approval conditions. Summary results will be publicly available through the study's published thesis, peer-reviewed journal articles, and aggregate results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Passant Nagi, PHD study director
Cairo University, Military Medical Academy
Rana M FARGHAL, B.D.S. principal investigator
Military Medical Academy, Bulgaria
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for Children in people with Dental Caries and Oral Health Behavior Change, run by Rana Mohamed Ahmed Farghal at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Rana M Farghal, B.D.S. (01092823556, ranafargal@ymail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Dental Health Knowledge Score (time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07363317, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jan 2026.