Table 2 Distribution of oral health behaviors and Oral Health Indicators before and 3 months after intervention in the two groups

Tooth brushing frequency per day

Before

Intervention

Never

0(0.0)

3(3.2)

0(0.0)

1(1.0)

4(4.2)

< 0.001^a

< 0.001^b

Often

0(0.0)

3(3.2)

8(8.4)

20(21.0)

31(32.6)

Once

0(0.0)

2(2.1)

20(21.1)

28(29.5)

50(52.6)

Twice or more

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

3(3.2)

7(6.4)

10(10.5)

Total

0(0.0)

8(8.4)

31(32.7)

56(59.0)

Control

Never

3(3.2)

3(3.2)

1(1.0)

1(1.0)

8(8.4)

0.82 ^a

Often

1(1.0)

11.(11.5)

12.(12.5)

3(3.2)

27(28.4)

Once

0(0.0)

2(2.1)

34(35.8)

7(7.4)

43(45.3)

Twice or more

0(0.0)

5(5.3)

5(5.3)

7(7.4)

17(17.9)

Total

4(4.2)

21(22.1)

52(54.6)

18(19)

P_value

Total

No brushing

< 1 min

1–2 min

≥2 min

Brushing time*

Before

Intervention

No brushing

0(0.0)

1(1.0)

0(0.0)

3(3.2)

4(4.2)

< 0.001^c

0.21 ^b

< 1 min

0(0.0)

2(2.1)

1(1.0)

15(15.8)

18(18.9)

1–2 min

0(0.0)

1(1.0)

3(3.2)

30(31.5)

34(35.8)

> 2 min

0(0.0)

2(2.1)

2(2.1)

35(36.8)

39(41.1)

Total

0(0.0)

6(6.3)

6(6.3)

83(87.3)

Control

No brushing

3(3.2)

1(1.0)

1(1.0)

3(3.2)

8(8.4)

0.11^c

< 1 min

1(1.0)

3(3.2)

3(3.2)

15(15.8)

22(23.2)

1–2 min

0(0.0)

4(4.2)

5(5.3)

13(13.7)

22(23.2)

> 2 min

0(0.0)

13(13.7)

6(6.3)

24(25.2)

43(45.3)

Total

4(4.2)

21(22.1)

15(18.8)

55(57.9)

Total

Never

Often

Once or more

Tooth flossing frequency per day

Before

Intervention

4(4.2)

8(8.4)

38(39.9)

50(60.0)

< 0.001^a

0.02 ^b

0(0.0)

9(9.4)

26(27.3)

35(36.8)

1(1.0)

2(2.1)

7(7.4)

10(10.5)

5(5.3)

19(20.0)

71(74.7)

Control

28(29.5)

5(5.3)

7(7.4)

40(42.1)

0.52 ^a

14(14.7)

8(8.4)

6(6.3)

28(29.5)

5(5.3)

4(4.2)

18(19)

27(28.5)

47(49.5)

17(17.9)

31(32.7)

Indices

Total

Healthy

Bleeding

Calculus

Community Periodontal Index (CPI)

Before

Intervention

82(86.3)

1(1.1)

3(3.2)

86(90.5)

0.13^a

0.007^b

7(7.4)

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

7(7.4)

1(1.1)

0(0.0)

1(1.1)

2(2.1)

90 (94.7)

1(1.1)

4(4.2)

Control

91(95.7)

0(0.0)

2(2.1)

93(97.9)

1^a

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

1(1.1)

0(0.0)

1(1.1)

2(2.1)

92(96.8)

0(0.0)

3(3.2)

Total

Good

Fair

poor

Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S)**

Before

Intervention

32(33.6)

4(4.2)

0(0.0)

36(37.9)

< 0.001^c

0.03^b

40(42.1)

12(12.6)

0(0.0)

52(54.7)

6(6.3)

1(1.1)

0(0.0)

7(7.4)

78(82.1)

17(17.9)

0(0.0)

Control

19(20.0)

1(1.1)

0(0.0)

20(21.1)

< 0.001^c

25(26,3)

44(46.3)

0(0.0)

69(72.6)

1(1.1)

2(2.1)

3(3.2)

6(6.3)

45(47.4)

47(49.5)

3(3.2)

intervention

P_value

Mean (SD)

Plaque index (PI)

67.78(29.74)

0.43^d

31.60(24.32)

< 0.001^d

36.14

< 0.001^d

< 0.001^e