The effect of toothbrush design on the ability of nurses to brush the teeth of institutionalized cerebral palsy patients

Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of two toothbrush designs in tooth brushing by nurses of individuals with cerebral palsy. Following instruction, nurses brushed the teeth of 21 individuals with a single-headed-toothbrush, and 22 with a triple-headed-toothbrush. After one month, the nurses brushed their patients with the other toothbrush, following instruction. Tooth brushing performance skill was evaluated and scored using the TB-PS-I/Ashkenazi index following the first brushing as well as on a recall visit one month later. After 1 month, 7.6% of the nurses required further instruction following brushing with the triple-headed toothbrush compared to 15% after brushing with the single-headed. Reductions in plaque and gingival indices were greater after using the triple- headed than single-headed toothbrush. More nurses preferred the triple-headed toothbrush (75.5% compared to 22.6%). Brushing by nurses of cerebral palsy patients was more effective and instruction better retained with a triple-headed compared to single-headed toothbrush.