A 10 Day Tooth Brushing Pilot Study- Report

A major dental problem in persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities is poor dental hygiene resulting in poor plaque control which leads to gingivitis, periodontal disease and dental caries. The most obvious reason for poor oral hygiene of such persons is their inability to clean the oral cavity adequately. Caregivers face many challenges in providing good oral care for such individuals. The electric toothbrush has been shown to be effective in plaque removal and gingivitis in both healthy and disabled/ special needs people. They are more superior at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis in both short- and long-term clinical trials. This study assessed the effectiveness of using electric toothbrushes as a means of plaque control in a 10-day pilot program. It was implemented as part of a life skills program at a special needs school in South Auckland. A total of 11 children participated in the program. Informed consent was obtained from parents/caregivers prior to the study. Electric toothbrushes and toothpastes were provided by the author of the study along with and oral hygiene instructions to the teachers/caregivers. The study was evaluated by comparing photos of the teeth before and after the pilot study. Plaque disclosing tablets were used to aid this process as it dyes the plaque making it visible to the eyes. Evaluation /feedback forms were also completed by teachers/caregivers of the special needs unit to ascertain the efficacy of the program. The findings of the study showed that using electric toothbrushes improved both the general plaque distribution and boosted children’s motivation to brush their teeth. The conclusion drawn from this study indicates that while electric toothbrushes are effective at plaque control, a longer intervention period is postulated to obtain clinically significant results or see a significant change in behavior.