Effect of Patient Education on Drinking Behaviour and Oral Hygiene in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Various levels of patient education: The three interventions: GROUP BASED TEACHING In groups of 8-12 patients, 30 minutes of standardised teaching is given. The teaching focuses in particular on the changes in diet and the impact this has on oral pH, enamel erosion and caries; recommended oral hygiene; and good drinking habits. WEBSITE Website providing recommendations for oral hygiene and drinking habits, as well as in depth information on the topic. DENTAL HYGIENE SAMPLES These are samples relevant for maintaining proper oral hygiene, distributed free, together with a description of how to use them.

Study summary

The background for the study is that many bariatric surgery patients struggle with their oral health after bariatric surgery. This is probably related to both physiological changes and changes in eating and drinking patterns. In addition, many have reduced oral health even before surgery, and a significant proportion also have dental treatment anxiety, which also affects their ability to seek dental treatment. In sum, this is probably a patient group that may be at risk of oral pathology.

Participants in the study will be randomly allocated to different patient education programmes. The three interventions are:

1. customised information on a website
2. education delivered by a clinician
3. distribution of free samples relevant to dental hygiene

The outcomes recorded are level of knowledge, drinking patterns, self-perceived oral health, and oral hygiene routines.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Drinking habits — Baseline to 6 months postop. to 24 months postop.
  Reported intake plain water with no additives

Trial sites (1)

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