Oral hygiene instruction and motivation in children using manual and electric toothbrushes

The effect of individual chairside instruction and motivation on children using either manual or electric toothbrushes was investigated. From 123 children aged 9-15 years attending the Children's Department, Eastman Dental Hospital, four groups were constructed. Group 1 acted as the control, Groups 2 and 3 used manual toothbrushes and received instruction and motivation, and Group 4 used electric toothbrushes (Touch Tronic, Teledyne Aqua Tec) and also received instruction and motivation. For all children, modified Löe and Silness' Gingival and Plaque Indices were scored, a disclosing agent applied and a prophylaxis completed. Children in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were additionally shown the disclosed plaque, and its importance was discussed. Their attempts to "get the stain off" were checked and their own brushing techniques modified. Re-examinations took place after 1 and 3 months. To estimate the reliability of the diagnosis, 172 of the 344 examinations were repeated by a second operator. The overall coefficient of correlation (between operators) was 0.8. In the control group no detectable improvement in the gingival health or oral cleanliness occurred over the 3-month study period. However, both gingival and plaque scores decreased significantly, by 35-50%, in all instructed and motivated groups within 1 month and this improvement was still observable 2 months later. There were no significant differences in improvement between motivated children using manual or electric toothbrushes.