Oral hygiene efficacy using manual, customised manual and electronic tooth brush in visually impaired children - a comparative study

Aims: The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of three toothbrushes (electric tooth brush, manual, customized manual) in visually impaired children. Further to evaluate the oral hygiene effectiveness using customised manual tooth brush in comparison to electric tooth brush.
Materials and Methods: 60 visually impaired children of age 6-15 years from a professional education centre were included in the study. 60 samples are then divided into 3 groups of 20 participants each (Group A: Electronic tooth brush, Group B: Manual tooth brush and Group C: Customised manual tooth brush). Instructions for brushing were provided to the children using Braille script. The assessment of oral hygiene status was done using Quigley Hein plaque index (QHI) and Løe-Silness gingival index at 1 week, 3 week and 6 week interval.
Results: Electronic tooth brush showed greater reduction in plaque score and gingival score from base line to 6 weeks which was statistically significant. Electronic tooth brush had plaque score of 0.4 at end of 6 weeks less than 1 which is considered to be good. Similarly customized manual plaquescore at 6 weeks was 1.5 which is more than 1. But by manual method plaque score at 6 weeks was 3.2 which is much more than 1.
Conclusion: In the present study, plaque removal efficacy of electronic tooth brush was superior followed by customized manual tooth brush. Manual tooth brushes showed slightest plaque removing efficacy. Gingival scores were reduced to greater level in electronic and customized manual than compared to manual tooth brush. However, extensive long term studies should be carried out to evaluate the usefulness of these brushes on continuation of oral hygiene.