Study design and data collection
bleeding, periodontal disease, pain
BLEEDING, PERIODONTAL DISEASE, CHRONIC DISEASE
This pilot study was a parallel randomized controlled trial with two groups. Leaflets on self-care for oral health, that are commonly available in Japanese dental offices, were distributed to both groups. The intervention group was offered a leaflet plus a theory-based oral health e-learning program, while the control group received only the leaflet. Both groups were followed for 3 months. Block randomization to the intervention or control group was performed in a 1:1 ratio [Participants were recruited from two overseas cooperation volunteer centres for volunteers dispatched by the Japanese government. Inclusion criteria were an interest in participating in the study, age between 20 and 44 years, plans to stay abroad for at least three months, ability to understand Japanese and no ongoing treatment for a chronic disease. Based on data showing that periodontal disease increases and people lose more teeth from the age of 40 years, the target group was set at 20–45 with the aim of promoting oral care at an earlier stage in the life cycle. Individuals who had dental pain or bleeding or who provided incomplete responses to the questionnaires were excluded from the research. Assessments were conducted at baseline and three months after intervention by questionnaires sent via e-mail. In addition, a descriptive design was adopted using a questionnaire to understand the acceptability of the intervention materials at the three-month follow-up in the intervention group.