Effectiveness of Various Sensory Input Methods in Dental Health Education Among Blind Children- A Comparative Study.

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate effectiveness of various sensory input methods in dental health education among blind children. Oral hygiene status was assessed through visible plaque index and oral hygiene knowledge was assessed through questionnaire before and after oral health education. The study involved of 200 blind children with the age range of 8 to 14 years of both genders from two blind schools similar in standard of teaching. The total study population (n=200) was randomized and divided into five Groups, comprising of 40 children in each Group. The first four were the experimental Groups who received dental health education through different modes, while the fifth Group served as control. Oral health related knowledge and plaque scores were assessed in all the study Groups before and after dental health education. After intervention, the mean knowledge scores and plaque scores were statistically significant in all the study Groups when compared to the baseline scores. The present study proved that blind children can maintain an acceptable level of oral hygiene when taught with special customized methods like multisensory approach with creative use of other senses which was found to be effective than unisensory method.