Change of Plaque Control Ability by Regular Oral Health Care Program

Objectives: This study was conduced in order to examine the impact of regular professional oral health care program and accompanying oral health education.
Methods: Study participants were 552 patients who visited the one dental hospital more than 5 times as part of a regular professional oral health care program from January 2009 to March 2014. The regular professional oral health care program consisted of O’Leary plaque control record, tooth brushing instruction, professional tooth brushing, professional tooth cleaning, periodontal or operative treatment(optional) and education on auxiliary devices. O’Leary plaque control record were evaluated at 5 consecutive visit from first visit and recent visit.
Results: Study data revealed that patient plaque control rate was significantly increased with lapse of care provided from baseline. But no differences were detected between groups of age and gender. Plaque control ability of patient who taken the lessons on Watanabe’s brushing method, combined Watanabe’s brushing method and rolling method were increased significantly. The usage of interdental brush, attending 5-times tooth brushing instruction program, getting tooth polishing were helpful for improving plaque control rate. Plaque control rate of patient who had pontic, fully covered tooth and implant was significantly higher than who didn′t have. Watanabe’s brushing method, number of fully covered tooth and number of implant were significant variables related to the final plaque control rate by multiple linear regression analysis. Increased plaque control rate was maintained to recent evaluation from 5th visit.
Conclusions: The ability of patients for reducing dental plaque formation was improved by an educational program including tooth brushing instruction as part of a regular professional oral health care program.