Lighting the Way to Better Oral Health Through Improving Hygiene in Visually Impaired Youth
A longitudinal study published in Scientific Reports reveals how targeted oral hygiene training can significantly improve dental health in visually impaired youth, matching the progress of their sighted peers. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored educational interventions in overcoming the unique challenges faced by this population.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene presents significant challenges for individuals with visual impairments, especially during adolescence and early adulthood. These challenges often lead to higher incidences of dental issues such as trauma, plaque buildup, caries, and gingivitis. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of repeated oral hygiene training in improving the oral health of visually impaired youth (VI) compared to their sighted peers in a control group (CG).
The study was a longitudinal intervention survey conducted between 2016 and 2020, involving 100 visually impaired high school students aged 16–21 and 45 healthy students as the control group. The participants were assessed over six school visits at 3-month intervals, where both groups received individual oral hygiene training and motivational sessions. For the visually impaired group, additional methods like audio-tactile performance (ATP), Braille instructions, and three-dimensional tooth models were used to enhance their understanding of oral hygiene practices.
The participants were divided into subgroups based on the type of toothbrush they used, including medium, soft, ultra-soft, and electric toothbrushes. Data collection included a questionnaire survey and the Quigley and Hein Plaque Index (QHI) to measure dental plaque levels at each visit. The results revealed that while the visually impaired group had higher initial plaque levels than the control group, both groups showed significant improvement over time due to the repeated training sessions.
Interestingly, those using electric toothbrushes in the visually impaired group showed the most significant improvement in plaque reduction by the end of the study. This suggests that the use of electric toothbrushes, combined with proper training, can be particularly effective for visually impaired individuals. The study also found that participants who received repeated oral hygiene instructions demonstrated a continuous decline in plaque levels, highlighting the importance of ongoing education and motivation in maintaining good oral health.
Despite these positive outcomes, the visually impaired group still had overall higher plaque levels compared to their sighted peers. However, the rate of improvement was similar, indicating that with the right tools and techniques, visually impaired individuals can achieve comparable oral hygiene outcomes.
The study also highlighted some of the challenges faced by visually impaired youth in maintaining oral hygiene. These include difficulties in using interdental aids and in finding dental hygienists who can provide the necessary care and instruction. The study suggests that regular visits to dental hygienists should be emphasized as part of preventive care for youth, particularly those with special needs. Moreover, the importance of effective communication and tailored instructional aids in improving oral health was underscored, with many participants citing communication as a key factor in their satisfaction with dental care. Click here to read more.
