Oral hygiene instruction and motivation in children using manual and electric toothbrushes

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Abstract
The effect of individual chairside instruction and motivation on children using either manual or electric toothbrushes was investigated. From 123 children aged 9-15 years attending the Children's Department, Eastman Dental Hospital, four groups were constructed. Group 1 acted as the control, Groups 2 and 3 used manual toothbrushes and received instruction and motivation, and Group 4 used electric toothbrushes (Touch Tronic, Teledyne Aqua Tec) and also received instruction and motivation. For all children, modified Löe and Silness' Gingival and Plaque Indices were scored, a disclosing agent applied and a prophylaxis completed. Children in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were additionally shown the disclosed plaque, and its importance was discussed. Their attempts to "get the stain off" were checked and their own brushing techniques modified. Re-examinations took place after 1 and 3 months. To estimate the reliability of the diagnosis, 172 of the 344 examinations were repeated by a second operator. The overall coefficient of correlation (between operators) was 0.8. In the control group no detectable improvement in the gingival health or oral cleanliness occurred over the 3-month study period. However, both gingival and plaque scores decreased significantly, by 35-50%, in all instructed and motivated groups within 1 month and this improvement was still observable 2 months later. There were no significant differences in improvement between motivated children using manual or electric toothbrushes.

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