IADR Abstract Archives
Interproximal Plaque and Gingivitis Reduction After Comprehensive Health Promotion Program
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate interproximal plaque and gingivitis reduction after a comprehensive health promotion program designed to improve periodontal health among Kenyan school children.
Methods: Eighty-five girls from a private boarding school in Kenya were enrolled in the study. The girls ranged in age from 13 to 18 years, with a mean age of 16.1 ± 1.2 years. A clinical examination was performed on each girl by one standardized examiner before and after a comprehensive health promotion program. Both visible dental plaque and periodontal assessments were made on 4 surfaces per tooth (buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal) of all permanent teeth, except third molars, at baseline and after a 1-year program. Bleeding on gentle probing (BOP) was used as an indicator of gingival inflammation. Plaque and BOP interproximal surface variation from baseline and after intervention were evaluated.
Results: There was an expressive plaque and BOP reduction at the interproximal surfaces after 1-yr program when compared to baseline. It was observed an interproximal plaque and BOP reduction of 71.9% and 67.2% in upper right posterior teeth, 90.9% and 89.7% in upper anterior teeth, 75.3% and 68.4% in upper left posterior teeth, 76.2% and 41.9% in lower left posterior teeth, 74.5% and 91.4% in lower anterior teeth and 78.7% and 61.7% in lower right posterior teeth, respectively. Lower anterior teeth consistently exhibited the greatest interproximal BOP reduction from baseline to 1-year follow up.
Conclusions: A 1-year comprehensive health promotion program involving children’s and school staff active participation provided significant improvements in plaque and gingivitis reduction on both mesial and distal surfaces. It settled in long-term health promotion behaviors in school-aged children in Kenya.
Methods: Eighty-five girls from a private boarding school in Kenya were enrolled in the study. The girls ranged in age from 13 to 18 years, with a mean age of 16.1 ± 1.2 years. A clinical examination was performed on each girl by one standardized examiner before and after a comprehensive health promotion program. Both visible dental plaque and periodontal assessments were made on 4 surfaces per tooth (buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal) of all permanent teeth, except third molars, at baseline and after a 1-year program. Bleeding on gentle probing (BOP) was used as an indicator of gingival inflammation. Plaque and BOP interproximal surface variation from baseline and after intervention were evaluated.
Results: There was an expressive plaque and BOP reduction at the interproximal surfaces after 1-yr program when compared to baseline. It was observed an interproximal plaque and BOP reduction of 71.9% and 67.2% in upper right posterior teeth, 90.9% and 89.7% in upper anterior teeth, 75.3% and 68.4% in upper left posterior teeth, 76.2% and 41.9% in lower left posterior teeth, 74.5% and 91.4% in lower anterior teeth and 78.7% and 61.7% in lower right posterior teeth, respectively. Lower anterior teeth consistently exhibited the greatest interproximal BOP reduction from baseline to 1-year follow up.
Conclusions: A 1-year comprehensive health promotion program involving children’s and school staff active participation provided significant improvements in plaque and gingivitis reduction on both mesial and distal surfaces. It settled in long-term health promotion behaviors in school-aged children in Kenya.