The impact of caregiver training on the oral health of people with disabilities: A systematic review.

Aims: This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of oral health training for caregivers of individuals with disabilities.

Materials and methods: A systematic review was conducted using five electronic databases: Medline (PubMed), SciELO, Web of Science, LILACS, and CAFe, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The PICO strategy was defined as follows: Participants: caregivers of individuals with disabilities; Intervention: training or education in oral health for caregivers; Control: no caregiver training; and Outcomes: evaluating whether oral health training for caregivers improves the oral health of people with disabilities. The study aimed to address the research question: "What is the impact of oral health training for caregivers of individuals with disabilities?" The study was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42023416760).

Results: A total of 14 studies were included, with trained caregivers being either staff members or parents, and various disabilities reported, with cerebral palsy being the most prevalent. Caregiver training methods varied, such as instructions on the importance of oral health care, supervised oral hygiene, and demonstration of toothbrushing techniques. Overall, the intervention groups showed an improvement in measures such as to the Gingival Index, Plaque Index, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, and Gingival Bleeding Index on upon probing. Additionally, improvements were observed in the quality, frequency, and duration of toothbrushing among intervention groups.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that oral health training for caregivers has a positive impact on the oral health of individuals with disabilities, potentially leading to better oral health outcomes.