oral hygiene program for a group of institutionalized mentally handicapped children in Kuwait

ABSTRACT

This program was carried out at the "Rehabilitation Center for the Handicapped" in Schwaik. A total of 68 mentally handicapped children with an age range of 5 to 14 years were included in the study. A specially designed examination chart was used to assess the gingival condition and oral hygiene status of the children. Following the initial examination, scaling was performed for all children with calculus deposits by means of three well trained dental hygienists who were also instructed to brush the children's teeth once daily and to teach the hygiene staff at the rehabilitation center the proper technique of tooth-brushing to ensure the continuity of this dental care after the termination of the program. After one months the children were reassessed to determine the short term effects of the program on their oral health. The means for reduction in gingival, oral debris and oral calculus index scores following the program were all significantly different from "zero" at the 5% level indicating that effective complete plaque removal even once a day can improve gingival health and oral hygiene status among mentally handicapped. Recommendations were given in order to attain an acceptable level of oral health in such vulnerable priority groups