Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
October 2005
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
6
Issue:
2

The effectiveness of different toothbrushes for people with special needs

Aim: To investigate the type of toothbrush that enables patients with special needs and/or their carers to carry out effective tooth brushing. Study Design: Three-way cross-over with 36 subjects with physical and/or mental impairments, who used the brushes, on their own (‘Self-Brushers’) or with assistance, either in part (‘Assisted Brushers’) or total (‘Other Brushers’) from their guardian or carer. Subjects used the three-headed toothbrush Superbrush® and the Teledyne® Waterpik Sonic Speed Plaque Remover as well as a simple manual toothbrush, the Oral-B 35®. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the severity of their disability. After professional cleaning, the 14-day test phases began followed by the 14-day wash-out phase. The following indices were used by one blinded, experienced examiner for each test phase: Quigley-Hein Index (QHI), approximal plaque index according to Lange (API) as well as the papilla bleeding index according to Saxer and Muhlemann (PBI). Results: The three-headed toothbrush removed plaque more effectively from the smooth surfaces in two of the subject groups (Other Brusher and Assisted Brusher). For those able to brush for themselves, the powered toothbrush performed better in removing plaque from vestibular surfaces. Conclusion: Although the study groups are small, differences were observed in the plaque removing efficacy of the brushes with the three-headed brush performing better for those adults who required help, some or total, to brush their teeth. The Superbrush® can thus be recommended for brushing in these groups on the basis of the results from this blind, cross-over study. Key words: Toothbrushes, electric toothbrush, manual toothbrush, special needs, oral hygiene

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
65
Page End
71
Authors
A Zeller, Klaus-Roland Jahn, I Kaschke

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial - A Time to remember
  2. 54
  3. 54

  1. A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care
  2. 55
  3. 64

  1. A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care
  2. 55
  3. 64

  1. The effectiveness of different toothbrushes for people with special needs
  2. 65
  3. 71

  1. A report from an investigation of abnormal oral reflexes, lip trauma and awareness levels in patients with profound brain damage
  2. 72
  3. 78

  1. Teaching undergraduates Special Care Dentistry
  2. 82
  3. 88

  1. Comprehensive dental care for special needs children under day-stay general anaesthesia – treatment outcomes and post-operative morbidity
  2. 89
  3. 92

  1. Stock fit as an alternative to custom finger guard mouth props for examination and treatment of patients with special needs
  2. 93
  3. 97

  1. Book Reviews
  2. 98
  3. 99

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