Development of a new technique (ATP) for training visually impaired children in oral hygiene maintenance

Abstract

Aim: To develop a special oral health education technique and compare plaque scores before and after health education.

Study design: Non-randomised before and after comparison trial without controls.

Methods: The final study population comprised of 96 visually impaired children aged 6-18 years old. Silness and Loe plaque index scores were recorded at baseline. 'Audio tactile performance technique' (ATP Technique) a specially designed health education method was used to educate these children regarding oral hygiene maintenance. Periodic reinforcement of health education was performed at an interval of 9 months. Re-examination was carried out after 18 months of health education to assess plaque scores.

Statistics: Wilcoxon's sign rank test and paired t test was used to assess the difference between the scores before and after health education.

Results: There was increase in frequency of tooth brushing after health education. The mean plaque scores pre- and post-health education were 1.41 (+/-0.58) and 0.63 (+/-0.39) respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Visually impaired children could maintain an acceptable level of oral hygiene when taught using special customised methods.