IADR Abstract Archives
Xylitol-Containing Chewing Gum for Caries Prevention in Students With Disabilities
Objectives: This cluster randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based xylitol chewing gum program on dental caries prevention among students with visual or hearing impairment.
Methods: The study compared xylitol gum plus oral health education (intervention group, n=93) with oral health education alone (control group, n=81) among students aged 7-18 years in special needs schools in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The primary outcome was caries onset rate measured by the change in caries onset on tooth surfaces. The secondary outcome was plaque index. Between-group differences were determined using generalized estimated equations and general linear model under the intention-to-treat approach.
Results: After 1 year, there was a significantly lower caries rate in the primary dentition among the intervention group than the control group (0.08 versus 0.12 surfaces per surface-year, respectively; adjusted relative risk=0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.96; p=0.03), but there was no significant difference in the caries rates for the permanent dentition. Remineralization also occurred more in the intervention versus the control group in the primary dentition only. Oral hygiene was significantly improved in the intervention but not in the control group (p=0.001).
Conclusions: This program could reduce the caries rate and enhance remineralization in primary dentition, as well as improve oral hygiene in students with disabilities.
Methods: The study compared xylitol gum plus oral health education (intervention group, n=93) with oral health education alone (control group, n=81) among students aged 7-18 years in special needs schools in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The primary outcome was caries onset rate measured by the change in caries onset on tooth surfaces. The secondary outcome was plaque index. Between-group differences were determined using generalized estimated equations and general linear model under the intention-to-treat approach.
Results: After 1 year, there was a significantly lower caries rate in the primary dentition among the intervention group than the control group (0.08 versus 0.12 surfaces per surface-year, respectively; adjusted relative risk=0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.96; p=0.03), but there was no significant difference in the caries rates for the permanent dentition. Remineralization also occurred more in the intervention versus the control group in the primary dentition only. Oral hygiene was significantly improved in the intervention but not in the control group (p=0.001).
Conclusions: This program could reduce the caries rate and enhance remineralization in primary dentition, as well as improve oral hygiene in students with disabilities.