The Impact of Oral Health Education Via Telegram and Traditional Methods on Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices, and the Oral Health Status of 6-12-Year-Olds in Tehran, Iran: A Three-Month Follow-Up Trial in 2023 Publisher

Summary: Can social media outshine traditional methods in health education? A study found both virtual and traditional methods improved children's oral health, but traditional methods boosted knowledge more. Which do you prefer? #OralHealth #HealthEducation

Ganjkhanloo A ; Soltani T ; Gholami M ; Bonabi M ; Kharrazifard M J ; Mohebbi S Z
Source: Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Virtual interventions have demonstrated positive outcomes by promoting equitable access to care. We compared the impact of oral health education through Telegram social media versus traditional methods on parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as the oral health status of children. Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved parents and their 6-to 12-year-old children referring to the School of Dentistry from January to March 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to social media education or received a printed booklet (traditional education). Parents completed a questionnaire, and children underwent clinical examinations before and after the three-month follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Among 51 participants, 28 (54.90%) were males. In both groups, Plaque Index (before 1.466 ± 0.632, after 0.538 ± 0.514, P < 0.001 in the virtual education group and before 1.056 ± 0.575, after 0.663 ± 0.470, P < 0.001 in the traditional education group) and the Gingival Index (before 0.486 ± 0.513, after 0.146 ± 0.414, P < 0.001 in the virtual education group and before 0.244 ± 0.324, after 0.139 ± 0.256, P = 0.004 in the traditional education group) decreased significantly following the intervention. A comparison of knowledge scores (before 7.769 ± 2.672, after 9.423 ± 3.689, P = 0.012 in the virtual education group, and before 8.640 ± 2.498, after 11.400 ± 3.027, P = 0.024 in the traditional education group) revealed significant improvements. Attitude scores (before 21.230 ± 4.563, after 22.500 ± 5.232, P = 0.027 in the virtual education group and before 20.240 ± 4.892, after 22.920 ± 3.904, P = 0.009 in the traditional education group) revealed significant improvements. Changes in the outcomes were not associated with the children’s age or gender. Conclusion: Compared to the virtual education method, knowledge scores were higher in the traditional education group after the intervention. Given that both interventions improved children’s oral health status and enhanced parents’ perspectives about pediatric oral health, both methods are recommended to be used based on the context and available resources. © 2026 The Author(s); Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.