The Efficacy of Demonstrated Scrub Toothbrushing in Oral Hygiene Instruction

Objective: The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the efficacy of different modes of oral hygiene instruction on scrub toothbrushing technique. Methods: Eighty two 8-year-old children from 3 elementary schools in Wattana District, Bangkok were randomly allocated by simple randomization each school into 2 groups; scrub toothbrushing-demonstrated group and non-demonstrated group (control group). Both groups were given similar oral hygiene instruction message but scrub toothbrushing technique was demonstrated to the experimental group only. The efficiency of toothbrushing was evaluated by comparing the different Patient Hygiene Performance plaque index score before and after instruction (ΔPHP) on the instructed day and after 2 weeks. Difference between groups was determined by Independent Sample t-test. Results: The average plaque index score before received instruction was 4.79 and 4.77 in control and experimental group. Children in scrub toothbrushing-demonstrated group had statistically significant lower mean plaque index score after received instruction compared to non-demonstrated group (2.24 vs. 2.68) and the results showed significant difference between ΔPHP from demonstrated and non-demonstrated group (p<0.05). Conclusions: There was significant difference between ÄPHP from different methods of instruction. More effective instruction of plaque removal was achieved, if the demonstration was also included. This study was supported by Faculty of Dentistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand.