Oral health education with robots to children with CKD: RCT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the use of artificial intelligence by means of humanoid robots in oral health education in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to the oral health education through conventional dental approach. METHODS: Following the clinical trial registration (RBR‐65nfhn) and ethical approval (80295517.7.0000.0075), a total of 132 children and adolescents with CKD from 6 to 18 years of age, were randomly assigned to a dental health education program in hospital environment; group 1 received oral health education program from a dental surgeon and group 2 received the oral health education program from a humanoid robot. The primary endpoint measurements were (1) gingival index and the simplified oral hygiene index and the secondary endpoint measurements were (2) perception of the general and oral health‐related quality of life, (3) the child and the adolescent acceptance concerning the oral health education program. The measurements were conducted at baseline and after one month. RESULTS: Both oral health education methods were highly satisfactory in improving the oral health conditions in children and adolescents with CKD, with no significant differences between the groups (p=0.019). However, the group which received the oral health education program by means of the humanoid robot presented better acceptance by the children and adolescents (p<0.001). And the groups have not presented significant differences concerning the general and oral health‐related quality of life at baseline and after 1 month (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The oral health education by means of the humanoid robot can be as satisfactory and efficient as the advice provided by a dental surgeon; however, children and adolescents show better acceptance to receive the oral health advice by means of the humanoid robot.