Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41873028›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of dental hygiene2026

Advice and Information About Toothbrushing as Available on Websites of Professional Dental Care Associations.

Therese A Elkerbout, Tim M J A Thomassen, Fridus G A van der Weijden, Dagmar Else Slot

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of dental hygiene, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Therese A ElkerboutDepartment of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), a joint venture between the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Amsterdam and the Faculty of Dentistry of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6713-6461
Tim M J A ThomassenDepartment of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), a joint venture between the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Amsterdam and the Faculty of Dentistry of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2633-3236
Fridus G A van der WeijdenDepartment of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), a joint venture between the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Amsterdam and the Faculty of Dentistry of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5075-8384
Dagmar Else SlotDepartment of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), a joint venture between the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Amsterdam and the Faculty of Dentistry of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7234-0037

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThis study aimed to assess the online advice and information about toothbrushing provided by professional dental care associations (PDCAs) in English-speaking countries. MATERIAL AND

methodsPDCAs are national organisations of dentists and dental hygienists. A cross-sectional internet search for information published until July 2021 was performed. First, it was assessed whether there was a PDCA in English-speaking countries. A distinction was made between dentist associations (DAs) and dental hygienist associations (DHAs). In case a website was available, it was assessed whether toothbrushing advice was provided. Recommendations regarding a brushing technique, advice and instruction about the type of toothbrush, type of bristles, duration of brushing, time of changing the toothbrush, the use of toothpaste and interdental cleaning devices were gathered and summarised.

resultsIn total, 56 English-speaking countries were considered, of which 52 had a DA and 15 had a DHA, the majority of which had a working website. In total, 35% of the PDCAs, that is, 16 DAs and 7 DHAs, provided advice and information on toothbrushing and recommended twice daily manual toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste. Generally, a toothbrushing duration of 2 min (n = 20) and the (modified) Bass toothbrushing technique (n = 9) were advised. Nine PDCAs recommended the use of a powered toothbrush as well, and 21 recommended the daily use of floss. Nine PDCAs also recommended the use of an interdental brush.

conclusionIn total, 35% of the PDCAs with a website provided advice and/or information on toothbrushing. All of the PDCAs recommended twice daily brushing with a manual toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. However, a significant heterogeneity was observed in the instructions related to toothbrushing and toothbrushing technique. With respect to other recommendations on basic oral self-care, there appears to be a need for alignment and improvement in professional information for the general public with respect to the type of toothbrush, toothbrushing instruction, technique and other toothbrushing-related aspects.

Indexed as

Dental HygienistsHealth Education, DentalInternetSocieties, DentalToothbrushingCross-Sectional StudiesFluoride TreatmentHumansToothpastesToothpastesbrushing advicebrushing instructionsbrushing techniquesdental care professional associationsdental hygienist associationdentist associationonlinewebsites

Identifiers

PMID41873028
PMCPMC13309212

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.