Oral Health Assessment Research Articles

Completing the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) Using an AI-Supported Remote Assessment Process

Completing the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) Using an AI-Supported Remote Assessment Process

Oral Care Performed with Breast Milk in Preterm Newborns Fed by Tube: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: This study examined the effect of breast milk on oral care practices in neonatal intensive care units. Methods: This study involved 64 preterm infants (intervention/breast milk: 32, control/distilled water: 32) and was carried out with a prospective, parallel, randomized controlled design. The "Newborn Oral Health Assessment Tool (NOHAT)" was used to assess oral care. The Mann-Whitney U test, continuity correction test, Fisher's exact test, independent-samples T test, and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to analyze the data. Results: Examining the oral care performed using breast milk and distilled water with NOHAT scores, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It is recommended to use breast milk for oral care.

Factors affecting the oral health of patients in intensive care units: a prospective observational study

Background: In the intensive care unit (ICU), oral flora changes and bacterial growth starts, negatively affecting oral health. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the status of the oral mucus membranes of patients in ICUs and the factors affecting oral health. Methods: A descriptive and correlation design was used. The study included 151 patients in ICUs for five consecutive days. The assessments were performed using the Patient Form, Eilers Oral Health Assessment Scores and the Oral Health Assessment Chart. Results: Decayed teeth, magnesium levels and Glasgow coma scale were found to be effective in the first day oral health change of ICU patients and explained 22% of the oral health change, respectively. Age, decayed teeth, number of drugs used and Glasgow coma scale were found to be effective in the change in oral health of ICU patients on the fifth day and explained 35% of the change in oral health. Conclusions: Oral mucus membranes should be assessed closely and systematically in all critically ill patients who are of advanced age and are receiving a small number of medications, with a history of hyperglycaemia, high BUN, low albumin, hypocalcaemia, low Glasgow Coma Scale and decayed teeth.

Oral Health Assessment for Older Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities Using Video Recording by a Mobile Electronic Device.

Many older adults who require long-term care need oral health management. However, access to dental care is limited, and connecting older patients with dental professionals is a future challenge. Therefore, the development of a remote oral health assessment system is required. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of video-based oral health assessments in older adults residing in facilities. This study comprised 60 older adults residing in facilities who consented to dental home visit treatment by the Department of Oral Function Management at Showa University Dental Hospital between July 2021 and December 2022. The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) was used to evaluate the oral health status at the facilities by one dentist. The concordance of the oral health assessments conducted by this dentist at the facilities (OHAT-B) was compared with those conducted by the same dentist (OHAT-V1) and two other dentists (OHAT-V2 and V3) using approximately 1 min video recordings of the oral cavity taken with a mobile electronic device. On the OHAT total score, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [1.1]) for OHAT-B and V1 was 0.931; the ICC (2.1) was 0.889 when compared with V2 and 0.788 when compared with V3. Moreover, the comparison between V2 and V3 showed high agreement, with an ICC (2.1) of 0.750. This study revealed that the oral health assessment of older adults residing in facilities using video recordings of the oral cavity taken with a mobile electronic device may be possible, suggesting the possibility of remote oral health assessment.

Evaluation of the impact of specific oral health parameters on the quality of life in children with rare disorders of phosphorus-calcium metabolism

Relevance. Understanding the impact of oral health problems on the quality of life in children with rare metabolic disorders that affect mineral metabolism is critically important.Materials and methods. An oral health assessment was conducted on 59 children aged 6 to 17 years with rare diseases affecting mineral metabolism, each with a genetically confirmed diagnosis. The children were divided into two study groups: the first group (24 children) comprised those with bone mineralization disorders (hypophosphatemic rickets, hypophosphatasia), while the second group (35 children) included those with disorders of bone and cartilage formation (osteogenesis imperfecta, Marfan syndrome, achondroplasia, etc.). The clinical condition of the children's dental tissues was assessed by evaluating oral hygiene levels and caries intensity in permanent teeth, using the OHI-S and DMFT indices, respectively. The pufa/PUFA index was used to document complications arising from dental caries. To assess the perception of oral health problems, a survey was administered to parents and legal guardians using the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) questionnaire.Results. The average DMFT and OHI-S index values did not show statistically significant differences, with values of 4.26 ± 0.28 and 1.96 ± 0.15 in the first group, and 3.76 ± 0.40 and 1.75 ± 0.10 in the second group, respectively. However, the mean pufa/PUFA index values were significantly higher in children with bone and cartilage formation disorders (p = 0.003), being three times greater than those in the group with bone mineralization disorders, with values of 1.03 ± 0.18 and 0.30 ± 0.11, respectively. This increase was associated with higher correlation coefficients between the DMFT and PUFA indices and the modules for physical discomfort, oral functional status, and emotional well-being, with values of 0.38 and 0.41, and 0.49 and 0.27, compared to 0.07 and 0.02, and 0.29 and -0.21 in the first group. These differences were statistically significant at p &lt; 0.05 and p &lt; 0.005.Conclusion. The study revealed that existing oral health conditions have the greatest impact on the quality of life in children with rare diseases affecting bone and cartilage formation.

A preventive care approach for oral health in nursing homes: a qualitative study of healthcare workers’ experiences

BackgroundOral health problems are common among care-dependent older adults living in nursing homes. Developing strategies to prevent the deterioration of oral health is therefore crucial to avoid pain and tooth loss. A standardized work widely used in nursing homes in Sweden is the quality register Senior Alert (SA), which assesses age-related risks concerning e.g. pressure sores, falls, malnutrition and oral health. The oral health assessment is performed with the Revised Oral Assessment Guide-Jönköping (ROAG-J), which also includes planning and implementation of preventive oral care interventions with the goal of achieving good quality care. However, what facilitates and hinders healthcare workers in working with oral health in SA remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to describe healthcare workers’ experiences of assessing oral health with the ROAG-J, planning and performing preventive oral health care actions in accordance with SA in nursing homes.MethodsHealthcare workers (n = 28) in nursing homes in two Swedish municipalities participated and data was collected through six focus group interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of meaning in the data.ResultsThemes generated in the analysis were:A structured process promotes communication and awareness and stresses the importance of oral health;Oral care for frail older adults is challenging and triggers ethical dilemmas;Unclear responsibilities, roles and routines in the organization put oral health at risk;Differences in experience and competence among healthcare staff call for educational efforts.ConclusionsThe structured way of working increases staff awareness and prioritization of oral health in nursing homes. The main challenges for the healthcare workers were residents’ reluctance to participate in oral care activities and oral care being more complicated since most older adults today are dentate. Organizational challenges lay in creating good routines and clarifying staff roles and responsibilities, which will require continuous staff training and increased management involvement.

Enhancing oral health assessment: leveraging WHO questionnaire for adults

Enhancing oral health assessment: leveraging WHO questionnaire for adults

Modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) for Residential Aged Care: A Co-Design Protocol

Background: Older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) experience disproportionate levels of poor oral health relative to other groups in the general population, affecting their physical and mental wellbeing. The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) is a validated and widely used dental assessment tool; however, recent systematic reviews have identified shortcomings with respect to its measurement properties. Objective: The objective of this protocol is to provide a detailed overview of a multidisciplinary qualitative study that aims to (a) co-design and develop a modified OHAT for RACFs and (b) inform the development of an OHAT training package and implementation strategies. Methods: This study will utilize a co-design methodology with aged care residents, caregivers, staff members, and health professionals. The co-design workshops will: (1) investigate the barriers to and enablers of optimal oral healthcare in RACFs; and (2) co-design a modified version of the Oral Health Assessment Tool and a referral to treatment pathway that is appropriate for use in RACFs. The co-design workshops will facilitate group discussion and involve interactive activities using, for example, mind mapping and Sticky Notes. Qualitative data (transcripts and artefacts from co-design activities) will be analyzed in NVivo using an inductive codebook thematic analysis, specifically a template analysis. Conclusion: The findings of this study will inform a modified OHAT (M-OHAT), as well as future study phases regarding training and implementation strategies. It is expected that the M-OHAT will have enhanced usability and relevance to RACFs, facilitating the identification of poor oral health and timely referral to dental treatment.

Decisional needs for older adults, home health care nurses and dental hygienists during team-based oral health assessments in ordinary home settings – a qualitative study

BackgroundParticipation by all actors involved in health planning is a prerequisite for person-centred care and healthy ageing. Understanding the multiple knowledge needs and the values that shape oral health assessments in home settings is important both to enable participation in oral health planning and to contribute to healthy ageing.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate decisional needs during oral health assessments in ordinary home settings from the perspectives of older adults, home health care nurses and dental hygienists.MethodsData was collected in ordinary home settings through 24 team-based oral assessments and 39 brief, semi-structured interviews including older adults (n = 24), home health care nurses (n = 8) and dental hygienists (n = 7). Data was analysed using content analysis with a deductive approach. The analysis was guided by the Ottawa Decision Support Guide.ResultsThe analysis revealed that all participants considered participation in decision-making important but until now, older adults might not have participated in making decisions regarding oral health issues. The older adults considered participation important because the decisions had a strong impact on their lives, affecting their health. The professionals considered decision-making important for knowing what step to take next and to be able to follow up and evaluate previous goals and treatments. Organizational and personal barriers for shared decision-making among home health care nurses and dental hygienists were identified. Of the 24 older adults, 20 had different oral health conditions that objectively indicated the need for treatment. An initial important decision concerned whether the older adult wanted to make an appointment for dental care, and if so, how. Another decisional conflict concerned whether and how assisted oral care should be carried out.ConclusionIt is important for key participants in ordinary home settings to participate in interprofessional teams in home health care. To further anchor this in theory, conceptual models for professionals from different care organizations (municipal care, dental care) need to be developed that also involve older adults as participants. Future research could bridge theory and practice by including theories of learning while exploring interorganizational oral health planning in home settings.

Oral Health Problems Among Flemish and Dutch Nursing Home Residents Assessed by Nondental Caregivers Using the Novel Oral Health Section for Inclusion in interRAI.

Oral health of older adults in nursing homes is poor, which can negatively affect general health and well-being. Most oral health problems are preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. Caregivers can help improve residents' oral health through regular oral health assessments. The interRAI instrument used in Long-Term Care Facilities to evaluate older adults' health and well-being, has the potential to integrate oral care into general care planning. The recently optimized Oral Health Section for inclusion in the interRAI instruments (OHS-interRAI) enables nondental caregivers to identify residents requiring help with oral hygiene and/or a dental referral. This study reports the first data obtained using the OHS-interRAI, describing the oral health situation of older adults in Flemish and Dutch nursing homes. In this cross-sectional study, interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities data, including OHS-interRAI data, were collected from October 2020 to January 2023 and analyzed from 417 and 795 persons aged 65 years or older in Flemish and Dutch nursing homes, respectively. Most common oral health problems were poor oral hygiene and compromised teeth. Differences in oral health were found between Flemish and Dutch residents. Flemish residents had significantly more problems with chewing, dry mouth, oral and denture hygiene, and tongue condition than their Dutch counterparts. They also had a higher need for help with oral hygiene (19.4% vs 14.0%), and a dental referral (36.8% vs 20.9%). Older adults in Flemish nursing homes (20.3%) had significantly fewer dental check-ups than those in Dutch nursing homes (73.5%). The use of the OHS-interRAI by nondental caregivers identified at least one-third of the residents requiring help with oral hygiene and/or a dental referral. By means of trigger algorithms (Collaborative Action Points), the OHS-interRAI enables the integration of oral care into general care planning.

The current status and influencing factors of oral frailty in elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients based on the Andersen Oral Health Outcome Model

ObjectivesTo analyse the elements that influence oral frailty in elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients and to comprehend the present state of this condition.MethodsA survey of 325 elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients from three hospitals in Huzhou City was conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Oral Health Assessment Tool, the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Oral Health Questionnaire, the Social Frailty, the Frail Scale, and the Oral Frailty Index.ResultsIn elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients, the prevalence of oral frailty was 45.2%. Factors influencing it include the Oral Health Knowledge Score (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.98), Oral Health Behavior Score (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98), insufficient dialysis (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.14–0.63), social frailty (OR = 3.72, 95% CI 1.57–8.83), physical frailty (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.55–6.30), number of missing teeth (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.03–1.15), swallowing abnormalities (OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.26–6.38), and oral health scores (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.14–1.57) (P < 0.05).ConclusionPatients on elderly maintenance hemodialysis are more susceptible to oral frailty. Nursing staff should develop scientifically sound, effective, and targeted oral management strategies for these patients.

Impact of complete dentures treatment on Oral health-related quality of Life (OHRQoL) in edentulous patients: A descriptive case series study.

To evaluate the changes in oral health-related quality of life [OHRQoL] before and three months after complete denture oral rehabilitation using the Geriatric oral health assessment index [GOHAI] in Pakistani elderly edentulous patients. In this descriptive case series study a total of 80 edentulous patients were recruited from Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan from November 2021 to April 2022. The OHRQoL was evaluated twice by using the GOHAI- Urdu version. First, before getting the complete denture, and subsequently after three months of using a prosthesis. The data were analysed using SPSS-23. Pre and post-comparison were done by t-test. Moreover, the ANOVA test was utilized to assess the socio-demographic variables-GOHAI score and association. The mean GOHAI scores increased significantly from 22.9 (SD = 3.01) at baseline to 28.1 (SD = 5.59) after three months (P = 0.001), reflecting an overall increase of 5.2 points. At baseline, the ability of the patient to swallow comfortably was found to have the highest mean GOHAI score of 3.02 (SD= 1.24) and after three months of complete denture insertion, the same questionnaire item further improved with the highest mean GOHAI score of 3.43 (SD=1.05). The socio-demographic characteristics-based comparison of mean pre and post-insertion GOHAI scores suggested a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). The OHRQoL in elderly edentulous patients improved after complete denture delivery, and a significant improvement was noted in most GOHAI domains.

Longitudinal association between dentition status and gait speed among older Brazilian adults: SABE cohort study

BackgroundOral health has been associated with general health conditions, but few longitudinal studies evaluated the effect of dentition status on gait speed.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between different time-varying measures of dentition status (i.e., number of teeth, the presence of periodontal pockets and the functional impact of oral health) and gait speed (outcome) in older Brazilian adults.Materials and methodsThis was a prospective study using data from the Health, Well-being and Aging cohort study (SABE) from 2006, 2010 and 2015. The gait speed was the dependent variable and the independent variables of interest were dentition status evaluated using the number of teeth, use of dental prostheses, presence of periodontal pocket, clinical attachment loss and self-perceived poor functional oral health. Dentition status measures were obtained through clinical oral examinations, performed by trained dentists using standardized criteria proposed by the World Health Organization. Self-perceived poor functional oral health was evaluated using the functional domain of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. The longitudinal effect of dentition status on gait speed was evaluated using mixed-effects linear models. The effect of the number of teeth/periodontal pocket/attachment loss on gait speed change over time was evaluated by including an interaction term between these variables. The effect of periodontal pocket was tested only among dentate individuals.ResultsData for the complete sample included 3,306 observations from 1,964 individuals. The analyses for dentate individuals included 1,883 observations from 1,149 individuals. There was a positive association between the number of teeth and mean gait speed. Individuals using dental prostheses also had higher means of gait speed than those without dental prostheses. Gait speed was lower among individuals with periodontal pockets and with attachment loss. No interaction was found between any of the indicators of dentition status and time.ConclusionGait speed was associated with dentition status and this association was constant over time.

Assessment of oral health status amongst postal employees of Bhubaneswar city: A cross-sectional study.

Upholding good dental health has wider effects on productivity and performance at work in addition to being crucial for individual well-being. Because it can affect both their personal well-being and productivity at work, post office workers' oral health is therefore a critical issue of concern. Hence, evaluating Bhubaneswar city post office workers' dental health is the study's aim. With the aid of the WHO 2013 oral health assessment form, a cross-sectional study involving 171 regular post office workers was undertaken. Using the Chi-square test and an ANOVA for pertinent variables, the data were analysed using SPSS statistical software version 27.0. Potential confounding variables were adjusted using multiple logistic regression analysis. The survey included a total of 171 post office personnel, of which 76.6% were men and 23.4% were women. The participants' periodontal health revealed that 67.7% had deep periodontal pockets, 18.7% had shallow ones, and 95.3% had bleeding gums. The mean DMFT of the study participants was 4.10 ± 3.149. Among post office workers, tobacco use and oral health conditions represent a crucial junction of variables that call for caution and preventative action.

Oral Health and Quality of Life in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This article delves into the intricate relationship between oral health, quality of life, and behavioral characteristics in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Background/Objectives: Autism has been associated with various challenges, and this study seeks to elucidate the impact of ASD on oral health outcomes and overall well-being. The research focuses on assessing overall oral health by evaluating various parameters, such as the condition of lips, tongue, gums and tissues, natural teeth, dentures, oral hygiene, and dental pain in individuals with ASD. Additionally, the study explores the influence of age, sex, and certain variables, like basic daily living skills on oral health practices, aiming to identify potential correlations between these factors and oral health outcomes. Methods: We employed standardized instruments to quantitatively measure and analyze the impact of oral health status on the overall quality of life experienced by individuals with ASD. Results: The study found a statistically significant positive association between oral health, measured by the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and quality of life, as indicated by EuroQol 5-Dimensions Youth version (EQ-5D-Y) total scores (β = 0.13045, p = 0.00271). This suggests that better oral health is linked to higher quality of life. When adjusting for age and sex in a multiple linear regression model, the association remained significant but with a slightly reduced effect size (β = 0.10536, p = 0.0167). Age also showed a marginally significant positive association with quality-of-life scores. ANOVA results indicated that participants with advanced oral health status reported significantly higher quality-of-life scores than those with poorer oral health (p = 0.00246). The study also found that intelligence quotient (IQ) does not substantially influence dental health status, while the "Autonomy" subscale of the EQ-5D-Y is positively related to the OHAT. Conclusions: Unhealthy oral conditions significantly impact the overall quality of life in individuals with ASD. Therefore, it is crucial to include regular dental assessments and treatments in therapeutic protocols for patients with ASD.

Prevention of osteoradionecrosis in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy.

Osteoradionecrosis is a long-term, serious side effect of head and neck radiation therapy and is associated with significant morbidity and quality of life issues. This paper sought to determine consensus on the prevention and management of osteoradionecrosis by an international panel of multidisciplinary professionals expert in the management of patients with head and neck cancer using a Delphi methodology. Unique to this work is our direct inclusion of the views of patients and carers in our findings. This study reached consensus on the importance of pre and post oral health assessment and education for patients with head and neck cancer. This was also noted by the patients and carers who took part in the study. This work highlights the need for a standardized oral health assessment tool and multidisciplinary care of patients to prevent and manage osteoradionecrosis.

Changes in oral health status and function among older adults through professional oral care and rehabilitation exercises

Objectives: To develop a program that combines the oral health promotion program for the elderly and to investigate the effect of improving oral function by applying the oral health promotion program to elderly people using welfare facilities. Methods: From June to October 2022, a total of 29 elderly individuals utilizing welfare facilities in the Gyeongnam region were recruited. The control group underwent surveys and objective oral health assessments. The experimental group participated in an oral health promotion program, consisting of oral functional rehabilitation exercises and expert oral health management, conducted once a week for 8 weeks at the facilities. Objective oral health assessments were conducted before, during (at 4 weeks), and after (at 8 weeks) the intervention period for both groups. Results: As a result of the oral health promotion program, it was confirmed that there was an improvement effect in bad breath (p&lt;0.001), saliva secretion amount (p&lt;0.001), orbicularis oculi muscle (p&lt;0.001), and plaque index (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: A revitalization plan is needed so that the efficient oral health promotion program for the elderly can be reflected as a systematic and professional community care oral health management program.

Factors affecting the oral health of patients on maintenance hemodialysis and recommendations for standardized nursing care: a multicenter study.

To determine the oral health status of patients on maintenance hemodialysis and to identify the factors influencing their oral health. This observational study included 1,186 patients with chronic kidney disease who received maintenance hemodialysis across 33 hospitals in China. The patients were recruited for a questionnaire survey between April and August 2023 at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital using stratified sampling. Data collection tools included the General Information Questionnaire for Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients, the Oral Health Assessment Tool, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationships between the oral health of patients on maintenance hemodialysis and continuous variables such as sleep quality and emotional status. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to explore the relationship between oral health and various variables. The oral health scores of the patients ranged from 8 to 22, with a mean score of 12.54 ± 2.63. The final model of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated a goodness of fit of 22.19%. Independent factors affecting the oral health of patients included smoking, the proportion of medical expenses, water consumption, sleep quality, and anxiety scores (all P .05). High levels of smoking, substantial medical expenses, poor sleep quality, and elevated anxiety scores were risk factors for poor oral health (all P .05). Adequate daily water intake served as a protective factor for oral health (P .05). This study proposes targeted interventions to enhance the management and improvement of oral health in patients on hemodialysis, aiming to provide highly personalized and effective oral health care. These interventions are expected to improve oral health outcomes in future clinical practice.

Impact of Hospital Dentistry on Patients' Food Intake Status in Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward.

Treating oral problems with dentist intervention during hospitalisation may improve patients' food intake status. This study aimed to clarify whether convalescent rehabilitation ward inpatients in a hospital with hospital dentistry (HHD) had a better diet at discharge than those in a hospital without hospital dentistry (HNHD). Retrospective observational study including inpatients with dental involvement in a HHD with dentists and dental hygienists and HNHD with dental hygienist and visiting dental service between 1 March and 31 August 2022. Data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Functional Independent Measure (FIM) motor and cognitive, Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) score, Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS), whether the FILS ≥8 (indicating that patient eats also a non-texture-modified diet), remained and functional tooth numbers and speech language hearing therapist (SLHT) and dentist interventions. Comparisons between the two hospitals and factors that affected the FILS ≥8 were examined. A total of 333 and 89 inpatients were included in the HHD and HNHD groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, the HHD group had a significantly higher rate of FILS ≥8, functional tooth numbers at discharge, and SLHT and dentist intervention rates. The multivariable logistic regression analysis for propensity score matching participants showed that the significant independent variables for FILS ≥8 were age, BMI, FILS, FIM motor (all at admission) and SLHT and dentist interventions. Odds ratio for dentist intervention was 14.46 (95% CI: 4.36-48.01). Dentists are necessary to improve patients' food intake status in convalescent rehabilitation wards.

Comparison of the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of Chlorhexidine and Malva mouthwashes: Randomized crossover clinical trial

ObjectivesAlthough mechanical oral hygiene is widely practiced, it faces several challenges. Mouthwashes, such as chlorhexidine (CHX), are being explored as adjuncts to biofilm control, but their prolonged use has several side effects. Consequently, there is ongoing research into natural alternatives. This randomized crossover clinical study aimed to compare the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of 0.12 % CHX and a 5 % Malva sylvestris. MethodsForty-four participants were involved in two phases, each comprising three stages with variations in the mouthwash solution used only. During the study, participants refrained from mechanical plaque removal for seven days. At first day, they received whole-mouth prophylaxis and oral health assessment. After three days, gingival inflammation assessment and prophylaxis in were performed in contralateral quadrants. Participants then used a randomly assigned mouthwash solution for four days. On the 7th day, they completed a questionnaire about their perception and appreciation of the mouthwash. Additionally, gingival inflammation and plaque index were also performed by a calibrated examiner. After a minimum 21-day washout period, participants entered the second phase, repeating the three stages. ResultsResults showed no statistically significant differences between the Malva sylvestris and CHX groups regarding inflammation and plaque formation. However, CHX demonstrated a significantly greater mean reduction (7th – 4th day) in gingival inflammation compared to Malva (p = 0.02) (0.01 ± 0.19 and 0.00 ± 0.19, respectively). Additionally, participants using CHX reported a more pleasant taste and considered higher plaque control perception (p < 0.05). ConclusionsIn conclusion, both products exhibited similar antiplaque effects, but CHX outperformed Malva in controlling gingival inflammation. Clinical SignificanceMouthwashes with Malva sylvestris may be a good alternative, in a short-term period, to control biofilm. However, lower antigingivitis efficacy may be expected when compared to chlorhexidine.