Abstract

ABSTRACT:
Background: Maintaining a good quality of life requires optimal levels of oral hygiene. In differently abled subjects, manual dexterity may be slightly compromised, which is why powered toothbrushes were initially designed to help overcome the slight deficit.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of plaque removal between manual and powered toothbrushes in hearing impaired children.

Methods: A parallel arm, randomized single blind study was conducted. Twenty two congenitally hearing-impaired participants aged 18-22 were recruited from National Special Education Centre for Hearing Impaired Children, Islamabad. They were randomly divided into two groups of eleven participants. Plaque levels were evaluated on the 1st day and plaque removal effectiveness of powered compared with manual toothbrush was checked on the 8th day. Plaque scores were evaluated using the simplified Oral Hygiene Index and Turesky’s Modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque Index.

Results: Mean scores showed no significant difference in effectiveness of plaque removal between manual and powered toothbrushes.

Conclusions: Manual and powered toothbrushes are equally effective at plaque removal. Long term studies highlighting cost effectiveness and patient’s perception regarding ease of use are required to confirm results.

Key words: Key Words: Differently abled patients, manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, oral hygiene.