Effectiveness of Two Instruction Methods in Improving Tooth Brushing Skills in Children: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of two instruction methods for demonstration of modified bass tooth brushing technique: verbal instruction using posters and demonstration using life-sized models in plaque reduction over a four-week period in school children.   Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial, a total of 92 healthy children studying in third and fourth grades in the age range of 8-10 years were randomly selected from primary schools in AL Madinah city, Saudi Arabia. Before the commencement of the study, ethical approval from Taibah University, College of Dentistry Research Ethics Committee (TUCOD-REC) was taken and permission was obtained from the concerned school authorities. The procedure was fully explained to the parents/guardians of all children involved in the study and their informed consent was obtained prior to the study. At the beginning of the study, assessment of plaque using Sillness and Loe plaque index was carried out in all children to obtain the baseline data. Children were examined under natural daylight using a mouth mirror with good reflecting surface and periodontal probe. All the children were provided with junior toothbrushes and toothpaste of a standard company. Children were divided into two equal groups according to the instruction method used, group A (using poster) group B (using life size model). Children were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily once in the morning after breakfast and once in the night at bedtime. All children were followed up and re-examined after 4 weeks and plaque index was re-assessed to obtain the follow-up data. The results were compared with the baseline data and statistical analysis was carried out using paired t-test. Results: Both instruction methods were found to be effective in reducing the plaque index score of children with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: This study showed that using life size model or poster as an instruction method for tooth brushing equally motivates children to apply and master the tooth brushing techniques.