International journal of dental hygiene最新文献

Introduction: The objective of the study was to compare outcomes in terms of Bleeding index (BI), Gingival Index (GI) and Orthodontic Plaque Index (OPI) with videographic and plaque disclosing tablets (PDT) versus verbal instructions in orthodontic patients.

Materials and methods: Adult orthodontic patients were randomly allocated to three groups, that is, Interventions (video, PDT) and Control (verbal) groups. Pre- and post-interventional measurements were taken at two intervals only for BI, GI and OPI. A computer-generated randomization list was used to allocate subjects to one of the three study groups using a random permuted block sampling of 6 and 9 to randomise the samples. A total of 99 subjects were assessed for eligibility out of which 96 participants were randomised as three declined to be part of this trial.

Results: The mean change in the oral hygiene indices score was assessed and we found no statistically significant difference among the three interventional groups. Pre- and post-interventional results showed statistically significant improvement in the oral hygiene indices for all the interventional groups. No statistically significant difference was found for age, gender and education level on oral hygiene indices. General estimation equation showed that the verbal group produced significantly higher mean BI change as compared to other groups.

Conclusions: Based on our results of this open-label randomised control trial, it seems that all interventions had a positive impact on the oral hygiene indices in the 4-month follow-up. Age, gender and education have no significant impact on oral hygiene practices. Verbal instructions still hold an important part of daily practice.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0438642.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the distribution of subgingival periodontal pathogens following the non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in smoking and non-smoking periodontitis patients.

Methods: A total of 48 patients (24 smokers and 24 non-smokers) with stage III/IV, grade B/C periodontitis were included and NSPT was performed. Clinical measurements were recorded, and subgingival plaque samples were obtained from periodontal pockets at the onset and after 4 weeks of treatment. The level of periodontopathogens was determined by a polymerase chain reaction-based method. Clinical and microbiological data were analysed by using Chi-square, Student-t and Pearson correlation tests.

Results: The levels of periodontopathogens (except Eikenella corrodens and Capnocytophaga spp.) diminished significantly following NSPT (p < 0.05). Although the decrease in the levels of periodontopathogens was lower in smokers, the difference was statistically insignificant except for Tannerella forsythia. A statistically significant reduction was recorded for all clinical parameters following NSPT (p < 0.001). The rate of decrease in non-smokers was higher, but this difference was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Only the reduction in pocket depth was higher in non-smokers (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The present findings indicate that smoking did not significantly impact subgingival microflora, except for Tannerella forsythia, although the elimination of certain periodontopathogens proved more challenging in smokers following NSPT. Furthermore, among the changes in clinical parameters, a statistically significant difference was observed only in the changes in pocket depth.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06383455.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of supplementing standard verbal oral hygiene instruction (OHI) with on-site or remote video-assisted oral hygiene education (VOHE) for orthodontic patients, and the effects of discontinuing VOHE.

Methods: Forty-eight participants (aged ≥ 18 years) undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were recruited for this three-arm single-blind clinical trial and randomised into three groups: (i) control (verbal OHI only), (ii) on-site VOHE plus verbal OHI and (iii) remote VOHE (via WhatsApp) plus verbal OHI. Oral hygiene assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and every six to eight weeks for six follow-ups (T1-T6). VOHE continued until T3 and was withdrawn at T4. The Orthodontic Plaque Index (OPI) and Full-Mouth Bleeding Score (FMBS) were measured by the primary investigator, while interventions were conducted by an independent investigator. Analysis followed an intention-to-treat approach. Paired t-test, one-way and two-way repeated ANOVA were used to analyse the results (p < 0.05).

Results: Before VOHE withdrawal, the control group showed no significant OPI reduction (p = 0.132), while both VOHE groups demonstrated significant reductions (on-site: p < 0.001; remote: p = 0.006). FMBS decreased significantly across all groups (p < 0.001). After withdrawal, OPI increased in the remote group (p = 0.006) but remained stable in others. FMBS increased in all groups, though not significantly. No significant OPI or FMBS differences were found between groups after withdrawal.

Conclusions: Routine verbal reinforcement alone is inadequate for sustained oral hygiene. VOHE enhances effectiveness, with on-site delivery potentially offering better long-term benefits due to supervision.

Aim: The Dutch government has expanded the status and scope of practice of bachelor's degree dental hygienists (DHs) compared to those with a diploma. The aim of this study is to investigate differences in the daily scope of practice of diploma and bachelor's degree DHs.

Methods: A web-based survey was emailed to all 2972 members of the Dutch Association of Dental Hygienists and distributed via social media platforms. The survey had sections on participants' demographics, educational qualifications, work environment, and scope of practice. Absolute and relative frequencies for each question were reported and statistically compared between groups.

Results: In total, 473 DHs completed the survey, 288 in the 'Diploma' and 185 in the 'Bachelor' group. Altogether, Dutch DHs work on average 29 h per week; those with a bachelor's degree work significantly (p < 0.001) more hours. Bachelor DHs work significantly (p < 0.001) more often as paid employees in a general dental practice, a practice dedicated to periodontology, in the educational and research setting. Diploma DHs work significantly (p < 0.001) more often in their own private DH practice. Bachelor DHs are significantly more likely to perform the following activities: administer local anaesthesia, take intra-oral radiographs, and treat primary caries compared to Diploma DHs (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The overall majority in both groups does not treat caries (81.3%) but does administer local anaesthesia (85.1%). Bachelor DHs are more frequently engaged in three tasks in the extended scope of practice and are more likely to work in a team setting.