IADR Abstract Archives
Effect of Dental Health Education among Hearing-Impaired Children: A Sign Symphony
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of two different methods of dental health education (DHE) for improving oral hygiene among Hearing Impaired (HI) children aged 11-20 years studying in special schools of Delhi, India
Methods: A randomised double blind controlled parallel time series trial was done among 178 HI children. Considering existing literature, the required sample size was found to be 82 per group, at 95% confidence interval, design effect = 1, type I error = 5%, power of study = 80% and 20% attrition rate. Only two schools which met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Two methods of DHE were used, schools were Coded as School A (DHE using sign language by the investigator) and School B (DHE by Conventional visual method, using only posters).
Results: The mean reduction in Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) scores was 1.13±0.81, 0.66±0.31 and 0.58±0.32 respectively in school A. The mean reductions seen in school B was 0.52±0.89 in OHI-S, 0.44±0.44 in PI and 0.34±0.32 in GI index (p value<0.05).
Conclusions: Specifically tailored DHE using Sign language can bring about greater improvement in oral hygiene status and gingival health as compared to the usual methods of DHE. Basic training of dental professionals to communicate with HI individuals is feasible and can prove to be of great help not just to the dentists but also to the HI patient.
Methods: A randomised double blind controlled parallel time series trial was done among 178 HI children. Considering existing literature, the required sample size was found to be 82 per group, at 95% confidence interval, design effect = 1, type I error = 5%, power of study = 80% and 20% attrition rate. Only two schools which met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Two methods of DHE were used, schools were Coded as School A (DHE using sign language by the investigator) and School B (DHE by Conventional visual method, using only posters).
Results: The mean reduction in Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) scores was 1.13±0.81, 0.66±0.31 and 0.58±0.32 respectively in school A. The mean reductions seen in school B was 0.52±0.89 in OHI-S, 0.44±0.44 in PI and 0.34±0.32 in GI index (p value<0.05).
Conclusions: Specifically tailored DHE using Sign language can bring about greater improvement in oral hygiene status and gingival health as compared to the usual methods of DHE. Basic training of dental professionals to communicate with HI individuals is feasible and can prove to be of great help not just to the dentists but also to the HI patient.