Using social media application associated with active learning methodologies for adherence to dental treatment

Aim: To investigate the effects of using social media application associated with active learning methodologies on adherence to dental treatment among young adults. Methods: This study controlled intervention was conducted in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2017, with 40 participants (age range from 19 to 24 years) randomized into Control (n=20) and Intervention Groups (n=20). For ten months the intervention group was invited to participate in a WhatsApp® group. This group used the pedagogical method of problematization with a discussion of oral health-related topics, while the Control Group was only instructed to seek dental treatment. The outcome was treatment adherence, evaluated by the mean period of time elapsed from beginning with follow-up of the study through to the time of the first consultation (Initial Time), and the time counted in days from the first consultation to conclusion of the treatment (Final Time) in both groups. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare adherence between the Groups and the Student’s-t test was used for initial and final times. Results: The results revealed that 66.7% of the Intervention Group and 23.5% of the Control Group adhered to treatment (p<0.05). The number of decayed teeth was higher in the Control Group (p<0.05). Self-efficacy was higher in the Intervention Group (p<0.05). Conclusions: WhatsApp® associated with active learning methodologies increased adherence to dental treatment.