Approaches to creating invitation postcards for periodontal check-ups using nudge theory and trends in periodontal check-up participation rate in Sasebo City

Abstract

Objectives: Various screening recommendations using nudge theory have recently become a focus of attention. We have reported an approach to creating an invitation postcard for screening for periodontal disease using nudge theory in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and observed the annual change in the participation rate of screening for periodontal disease. Methods: An invitation postcard for screening for periodontal disease using nudge theory was designed by Sasebo City and sent to a total of 3,642 residents aged 40, 50, and 60 years at the end of October 2021. A questionnaire survey on the focus points in the postcard was conducted on 131 persons who brought the postcard with them to receive screening for periodontal disease at the dental clinics. In addition, the annual participation rate of screening for periodontal disease was calculated using the Sasebo City Health Statistics, and a Joinpoint analysis was performed to evaluate the annual trends. Results: The results of the questionnaire survey showed that 45.9% of the participants had not visited the dental clinic for more than one year. The percentage of respondents who chose "free screening" as the reason for receiving screening and "neighborhood" as the reason for choosing a dental clinic was significantly higher among those aged 40 years. The part of the postcard that received the most focus was the part that clearly stated that the screening was free. When the redesigned postcards were sent, the participation rate in periodontal screening increased significantly compared with the 2021 fiscal year. Conclusion: The inclusion of "free" on the invitation postcards for screening for periodontal disease was the most attractive aspect to the target population. The participation rate of screening for periodontal disease increased after the redesigned postcards were sent.