Use of a Disclosed Plaque Visualization Technique Improved the Self-Performed, Tooth Brushing Ability of Primary Schoolchildren
Napa Chounchaisithi DDS*, Busayarat Santiwong DDS, PhD*, Sirikarn Sutthavong DDS, MPH**, Pornpun Asvanit DDS, MS, MEd*
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Dental department, Phramongkutklao Hospital, The Royal Thai Army, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Disclosing agents have a long history of use as an aid in children’s tooth brushing instruction. However, their
benefit when used to improve self-performed tooth brushing ability without any tooth brushing instruction has not been
investigated.
Objective : To evaluate the effect of disclosed plaque visualization on improving the self-performed, tooth brushing ability of
primary schoolchildren.
Material and Method: A cluster-randomized, crossover study was conducted in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. A total
of 122 second-grade schoolchildren, aged 8-10 years old, from 12 schools were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first
group was assigned to brush with disclosed plaque visualization, while the other group brushed without disclosed plaque
visualization. One month later, the groups switched procedures. Tooth brushing ability was evaluated by the subjects’
reduction in patient hygiene performance (PHP) scores. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of
variance, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results : Disclosed plaque visualization had a significant effect on improving the children’s self-performed, tooth brushing
ability in all areas of the mouth (p<0.001), particularly for anterior teeth, mandibular teeth, buccal surfaces, and areas
adjacent to the gingival margin (p<0.001).
Conclusion : Disclosed plaque visualization is a viable technique to improve children’s self-performed tooth brushing ability,
and could be used in school-based oral health promotion programs.
Keywords : Disclosing agent, Plaque visualization, School-based tooth-brushing, Self-performed tooth brushing
