Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2025
09:10
Digital Hybrid Model Preparation for Virtual Planning of Reconstructive Dentoalveolar Surgical Procedures
Published on: August 5, 2021
1.7K
Prophylaxis during multibracket appliance treatment - a survey among general dentists in Germany
Waldemar Petker-Jung1, Sabine Ruf2, Niko C Bock1
1Department of Orthodontics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Schlangenzahl 14, Giessen, 35392, Germany.
BMC Oral Health
|April 2, 2025
Summary
General dentists largely accept responsibility for the oral hygiene of patients with multibracket appliances (MBA). They adapt individual prophylaxis (IP) sessions with longer brushing times and interdental brushes, but standardized guidelines are needed.
Area of Science:
- Dental hygiene
- Orthodontics
- Public health
Background:
- Maintaining oral hygiene is challenging during multibracket appliance (MBA) treatment.
- Germany offers free individual prophylaxis (IP) programs for children and adolescents (6-18 years).
- The role of general dentists in IP for MBA patients is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate how general dentists manage IP for children and adolescents undergoing MBA treatment.
- To understand dentists' perceived responsibility for IP in MBA patients.
- To assess adaptations in IP sessions for MBA patients.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was distributed to 2744 general dental practices in Hesse, Germany.
- Dentists were surveyed on their views regarding responsibility for IP during MBA treatment.
- Inquiries focused on oral hygiene recommendations and adaptations for MBA patients.
Main Results:
- A 37% response rate (n=1014) was achieved.
- 46% of dentists felt primarily responsible for IP in MBA patients, with another 46% sharing responsibility with orthodontists.
- MBA patients received distinct oral hygiene recommendations, including longer brushing durations (>3 min) and interdental brush use.
Conclusions:
- Most general dentists acknowledge primary or shared responsibility for IP in MBA patients.
- Adaptations in oral hygiene recommendations are being made for MBA patients.
- Shared responsibility and varied recommendations highlight the need for standardized clinical guidelines.
