Comparative study of the oral hygiene status of users of mefakia (traditional tooth cleaning method) and modern toothbrushes among patients at the Holy Bethel Dental Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Mefakia is a well-known traditional chewing wood used in Ethiopia to cleanse the mouth. Although mefakia is used in parallel with modern toothbrushes to improve oral hygiene, there is a gap in the literature regarding its comparative performance in removing plaque and maintaining good oral hygiene.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the oral hygiene status of patients using mefakia and modern toothbrushes at the Holy Bethel Dental Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Holy Bethel Dental Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 246 patients (123 mefakia and 123 modern toothbrush users) were included in this study. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data on demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, and clinical oral health parameters, such as the calculus index, were collected through interviews and clinical examinations. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 to compare the oral hygiene status between the two groups. The results are presented in tables, diagrams, and text.

Results: Most respondents were aged 20-39; 66.7% and 73.2% used mefakia and toothbrushes, respectively. Sixty-seven percent of the toothbrush users had good oral hygiene, whereas 65% of the mefakia users had good oral hygiene.

Conclusions: This finding suggests that mefakia and modern toothbrushes are comparable in their effectiveness in maintaining oral hygiene. Dental education should emphasize using available and affordable oral hygiene tools such as mechanical toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste to improve overall oral hygiene.