Comparison of Powered Toothbrushes and Manual Toothbrushes in Removing Dental Plaque among Children with hearing Disabilities: A Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the the effectiveness of plaque removal between manual and powered toothbrushes in hearing impaired children. Maintaining a good quality of life requires optimal levels of oral hygiene. In differently abled subjects, manual dexterity may be slightly compromised, which is why powered toothbrushes were initially designed to help overcome the slight deficit. METHODOLOGY: A parallel arm, randomized study was conducted. Twenty two congenitally hearing-impaired participants aged eighteen to twenty two of age were recruited from National Special Education Centre for Hearing Impaired Children,Islamabad. They were randomly divided into two groups of eleven participants. Plaque levels were evaluated on the first day and plaque removal effectiveness of powered toothbrushes compared with manual toothbrush was checked on the eighth day. Plaque scores were evaluated using the simplified Oral Hygiene Index and Turesky's Modification of Quigley Hein Plaque Index. RESULTS: No significant difference of Mean score in effectiveness of plaque removal between manual and powered toothbrushes was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Manual and powered toothbrushes are equally effective at plaque . More studies highlighting cost effectiveness and patient's perception regarding ease of use are required to confirm results. KEYWORDS: Differently abled patients, manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, oral hygiene.