Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study
Abstract BackgroundChatbots are increasingly accepted in public health for their ability to replicate human-like communication and provide scalable, 24/7 services. The high prevalence of dental caries in children underscores the need for early and effective intervention....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2025-02-01
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| Series: | JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| Online Access: | https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e62738 |
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| author | Kittiwara Pupong Jaranya Hunsrisakhun Samerchit Pithpornchaiyakul Supawadee Naorungroj |
| author_facet | Kittiwara Pupong Jaranya Hunsrisakhun Samerchit Pithpornchaiyakul Supawadee Naorungroj |
| author_sort | Kittiwara Pupong |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundChatbots are increasingly accepted in public health for their ability to replicate human-like communication and provide scalable, 24/7 services. The high prevalence of dental caries in children underscores the need for early and effective intervention.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop the 30-Day FunDee chatbot and evaluate its effectiveness, usability, and acceptability in delivering oral health education to caregivers of children aged 6 to 36 months.
MethodsThe chatbot was created using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot behavior change model, integrating behavioral change theories into content designed for 3‐5 minutes of daily use over 30 days. A pre-post experimental study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and Maelan District, Pattani Province, Thailand. Fifty-eight caregivers completed a web-based structured questionnaire at baseline and 2 months post baseline to evaluate knowledge, protection motivation theory-based perceptions, and tooth-brushing practices. Usability was assessed via chatbot logfiles and a web-based questionnaire at 2 months post baseline. Acceptability was evaluated through three methods: (1) open-ended chatbot interactions on day 30, (2) a web-based structured questionnaire at 2 months post baseline, and (3) semistructured telephone interviews with 15 participants 2 weeks post intervention. Participants for interviews were stratified by adherence levels and randomly selected from Hatyai and Maelan districts. All self-reported variables were measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1=lowest, 5=highest).
ResultsThe chatbot was successfully developed based on the 4 components of the AI chatbot behavior change model. Participants had a mean age of 34.5 (SD 8.6) years. The frequency of tooth brushing among caregivers significantly improved, increasing from 72.4% at baseline to 93.1% two months post baseline (PP
ConclusionsThe 30-Day FunDee chatbot effectively enhanced caregivers’ perceptions of oral health care and improved tooth-brushing practices for children aged 6‐36 months. High user satisfaction and engagement demonstrate its potential as an innovative tool for oral health education. These findings warrant further validation through large-scale, randomized controlled trials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-24c769adfc704603929680e7d6b40780 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2561-6722 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| spelling | doaj-art-24c769adfc704603929680e7d6b407802025-02-10T20:16:44ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Pediatrics and Parenting2561-67222025-02-018e62738e6273810.2196/62738Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods StudyKittiwara Puponghttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5046-3933Jaranya Hunsrisakhunhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0427-7213Samerchit Pithpornchaiyakulhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6697-4751Supawadee Naorungrojhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-2840-327X Abstract BackgroundChatbots are increasingly accepted in public health for their ability to replicate human-like communication and provide scalable, 24/7 services. The high prevalence of dental caries in children underscores the need for early and effective intervention. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop the 30-Day FunDee chatbot and evaluate its effectiveness, usability, and acceptability in delivering oral health education to caregivers of children aged 6 to 36 months. MethodsThe chatbot was created using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot behavior change model, integrating behavioral change theories into content designed for 3‐5 minutes of daily use over 30 days. A pre-post experimental study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and Maelan District, Pattani Province, Thailand. Fifty-eight caregivers completed a web-based structured questionnaire at baseline and 2 months post baseline to evaluate knowledge, protection motivation theory-based perceptions, and tooth-brushing practices. Usability was assessed via chatbot logfiles and a web-based questionnaire at 2 months post baseline. Acceptability was evaluated through three methods: (1) open-ended chatbot interactions on day 30, (2) a web-based structured questionnaire at 2 months post baseline, and (3) semistructured telephone interviews with 15 participants 2 weeks post intervention. Participants for interviews were stratified by adherence levels and randomly selected from Hatyai and Maelan districts. All self-reported variables were measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1=lowest, 5=highest). ResultsThe chatbot was successfully developed based on the 4 components of the AI chatbot behavior change model. Participants had a mean age of 34.5 (SD 8.6) years. The frequency of tooth brushing among caregivers significantly improved, increasing from 72.4% at baseline to 93.1% two months post baseline (PP ConclusionsThe 30-Day FunDee chatbot effectively enhanced caregivers’ perceptions of oral health care and improved tooth-brushing practices for children aged 6‐36 months. High user satisfaction and engagement demonstrate its potential as an innovative tool for oral health education. These findings warrant further validation through large-scale, randomized controlled trials.https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e62738 |
| spellingShingle | Kittiwara Pupong Jaranya Hunsrisakhun Samerchit Pithpornchaiyakul Supawadee Naorungroj Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| title | Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study |
| title_full | Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study |
| title_fullStr | Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study |
| title_short | Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study |
| title_sort | development of chatbot based oral health care for young children and evaluation of its effectiveness usability and acceptability mixed methods study |
| url | https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e62738 |
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