Effect of the education interval and method on improving Patients' plaque control ability / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral health education interval and toothbrushing instruction, the difference between the demonstration-only method and the demonstration with chairside practice toothbrushing instruction method, and the effect of initial patient plaque control ability on the plaque index. METHODS: Patients (n=60) were randomly assigned to receive a 1-week, 2-week, or 3-week interval of oral health education and toothbrushing instruction. Each group was further subdivided into the demonstration-only group and the demonstration with chairside practice group. Patients were categorized as having "good", "fair", or "poor" initial plaque control ability, based on the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index (TQHI). Patients attended five sessions during which they received oral health education and toothbrushing instruction of the modified Bass technique. Plaque evaluation was performed at each visit using the TQHI. RESULTS: The plaque index tended to improve from the first visit to the fifth visit, but there were no significant differences between the 1-week, 2-week, and 3-week education interval. The demonstration with the chairside practice group showed significantly greater improvements in the plaque index, compared to the demonstration-only group. In the good, fair, and poor plaque control ability groups, the plaque index improved gradually from the first to the fifth visit. When plaque control was poor, the improvement in the plaque index increased to a greater degree after oral health education and toothbrushing instruction. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may be helpful for suggesting appropriate individualized oral hygiene management methods to improve plaque control ability.