Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Oct 1;43(4):523-529.
doi: 10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_302_25. Epub 2025 Nov 14.

Impact of sustained attention and working memory on toothbrushing efficacy in typically developing children: A cross-sectional study

J Jasmin Winnier  1 , Shilpa S Naik, Rachna Sharma, Diksha Patil, Priya Gore, Sonal Tandel
Affiliations
Free article

Impact of sustained attention and working memory on toothbrushing efficacy in typically developing children: A cross-sectional study

J Jasmin Winnier et al. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. .
Free article

Abstract

Background: Toothbrushing in children depends on factors such as toothbrushing duration, frequency, technique, manual dexterity, and cognitive skills. Higher level of cognitive functions, known as executive functions, is required for effective toothbrushing. These include sustained attention and working memory. Poor oral hygiene and higher prevalence of dental caries are seen in children with neurodevelopmental disorders due to impairment of cognitive skills.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the impact of sustained attention and working memory on toothbrushing efficacy in 9-12-year-old typically developing children.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study included 120 typically developing children aged 9-12 years. Oral health status was recorded using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth index. The sustained attention and working memory were evaluated using d2 test and Corsi block tapping test, respectively. Toothbrushing efficacy was determined by using Turesky modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque Index - difference in mean scores from before and after toothbrushing. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The sustained attention, working memory, and toothbrushing efficacy increased significantly with age, and an association of sustained attention and working memory was seen with toothbrushing efficacy, irrespective of the child's age, which was reported using Spearman's coefficient (P = 0.000).

Conclusion: Both sustained attention and working memory significantly increased with age, and were significantly associated with higher toothbrushing efficacy in typically developing children.

Keywords: Attention; child; dental plaque; executive function; memory; oral hygiene; toothbrushing.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Jin LJ, Lamster IB, Greenspan JS, Pitts NB, Scully C, Warnakulasuriya S. Global burden of oral diseases: Emerging concepts, management and interplay with systemic health. Oral Dis 2016;22: 609–19.
    1. Valm AM. The structure of dental plaque microbial communities in the transition from health to dental caries and periodontal disease. J Mol Biol 2019;431: 2957–69.
    1. Mejàre IA, Klingberg G, Mowafi FK, Stecksén-Blicks C, Twetman SH, Tranæus SH. A systematic map of systematic reviews in pediatric dentistry –What do we really know?. PLoS One 2015;10: e0117537.
    1. Aunger R. Tooth brushing as routine behavior. Int Dent J 2007;57: 364–76.
    1. Thavarajah R, Kumar M, Mohandoss AA, Vernon LT. Drilling deeper into tooth brushing skills: Is proactive interference an under-recognized factor in oral hygiene behavior change?. Curr Oral Health Rep 2015;2: 123–8.

LinkOut - more resources