Health nursing guidance-based smart phone applications of oral hygiene and glycemic control on health-related outcomes among diabetic patients

Objective Dental neglect, oral health values, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), and HbA1c levels are interconnected factors that significantly impact the overall health and well-being of individuals with diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health nursing guidance based on phone applications of oral hygiene and glycemic control on health-related outcomes among diabetic patients. Methods A quasi-experimental research design was used. A purposive sample of 76 adult diabetic patients was divided into a study group (n = 38) and a control group (n = 38). Data collection for the study sample was conducted in the medical clinic of the university hospital (MU) and Shebin El Kom Teaching Hospital. The total study period was 6 months, from September 2023 to March 2024, while the follow-up period lasted 12 weeks. Results Approximately 45% of study group patients were aged 30-39 years (42.1%), with a mean age of 38.8 ± 11.9 years (range, 18-59 years). After the intervention, there was an incredibly apparent enhancement with p< .0001 in all study diabetic outcome items except total Oral Health Value with p< .01. After smartphone application intervention, there was an incredibly apparent enhancement with p< .0001 in all study diabetic outcome items except total Oral Health Value with p< .01 including total oral hygienic behaviors, Dental Neglect scale, total OH-QoL scale, total Oral Health Value scale, Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1C). Among the study groups, the mean HbA1c score post-intervention decreased from 9.3 ± 1.6 (pre-intervention) to 6.1 ± 0.4, while in the control group, it decreased from 9.2 ± 1.5 (pre-intervention) to 6.9 ± 0.5 post-intervention. Conclusion The study concluded that mobile health applications (mHealth) for oral hygiene and diabetic control instructions have a significant, positive effect on improving Oral Health Values and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in the study group compared to the control group. There was a decrease in the Dental Neglect score and HbA1c levels among the intervention group compared to the control group.