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Use of different oral hygiene strategies in children with cerebral palsy: A comparative study
Ashwini Maiya1, Y Rajmohan Shetty2, Kavita Rai1
1Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience significant oral health challenges. A combined mechanical and chemotherapeutic approach significantly improved oral hygiene and gingival health in children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) often impairs motor skills, hindering effective plaque control in children.
- This motor dysfunction leads to increased risks of dental caries and periodontal disease in affected children.
- Individuals with CP require specialized oral hygiene strategies due to their unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To educate parents and caregivers on preventive home care for children with CP.
- To assess and improve the oral hygiene and gingival health status of children with CP.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different preventive home care measures.
Main Methods:
- 64 individuals with CP (aged 6-18) underwent oral hygiene and gingival health assessments.
- Parents/caretakers received tailored health education programs.
- Participants were divided into four groups, each receiving a specific mechanical and/or chemotherapeutic intervention for 6 weeks, with regular follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Group 4, utilizing a combined mechanical and chemotherapeutic measure, demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in oral hygiene (OHI(S)) and gingival inflammation (MGI) scores.
- This combined approach showed highly significant improvements from baseline to 6 weeks (P < 0.001).
- Significant reductions in MGI scores were observed between baseline and 1 week (P < 0.05) and between 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- A combined mechanical and chemotherapeutic oral care regimen is highly effective for children with CP.
- This integrated approach is recommended to maintain optimal oral hygiene and gingival health in this population.
- Addressing the specific difficulties and limited abilities of children with CP is crucial for successful plaque control.
Background:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is described as a group of conditions usually occurring in childhood, where children have motor dysfunction and are unable to adequately master the necessary techniques of plaque control, which ultimately leads to dental caries and periodontal problems.
Aims:
The objective of this study was to educate the parents/caretakers/institution staff and children with CP about the different preventive home care measures and to evaluate the oral hygiene and gingival health status of these children before and after the institution of different preventive home care measures.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 64 individuals with CP, aged between 6 and 18 years, were examined for their oral hygiene and gingival health status, after which the parents/caretakers received a health education program. The children were then randomly divided into four groups. Each group was administered a specific preventive home care measure (mechanical and chemotherapeutic) to be followed for a period of 6 weeks, and the oral hygiene and the gingival health status were recorded at the end of 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. The data were then subjected to statistical analysis.
Results:
In the sample of 64 children diagnosed with CP, the mean OHI(S) score among the groups of children who were given different preventive home care measures was compared at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. Group 4 showed a marked reduction in the OHI(S) score measured from baseline to 6 weeks, when compared to the other three groups which wa statistically very highly significant (P < 0.001) The mean MGI score was compared at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks home, Group 4 showed a marked reduction in the MGI score measured from baseline to 6 weeks, when compared to the other three groups. When the mean MGI score was compared from baseline to 6 weeks, there was a gradual decrease in the MGI score, which was statistically highly significant between baseline and 1 week (P < 0.05) and statistically very highly significant between 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.001). However, this improvement was not statistically significant between 2 and 6 weeks (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
A combined mechanical and chemotherapeutic measure is highly recommended to maintain the oral hygiene and gingival health of these special children because of their difficulties and their limited abilities to control dental plaque.
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