DEVELOPING ORAL HYGIENE SKILLS IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN IN ROMANIA

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to improve oral hygiene, to prevent dental cavities and periodontal disease in visually impaired children.

Methods: With project partners: University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” - Faculty of Dental Medicine; Timis County Council and “IRIS” High School, Timisoara. Ethics approval was given by The University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Victor Babes” ethics committee and informed consent was provided by the School. For the development of this project we received the support of Timis County School Inspectorate. From the children enrolled at IRIS School (aged 6 to 18 years), 20 children were totally blind and 83 children had moderate visual impairment, some with varying degrees of mental disabilities. The programme started with the dental team of the Faculty going to the high school, where, dental education lessons were held by age groups and interactive discussion took place with children. Secondly, during the baseline evaluation, the target group traveled by minibus, under the supervision of teachers, to the headquarters of Preventive Dentistry, Community and Oral Health Discipline. There, the baseline Silness and Loe plaque index was recorded (using Miraton disclosing solution) and the children received practical demonstrations of correct toothbrushing and preventive treatment. According to need care included scaling, professional cleaning, fissure sealing and topical fluoride applications, accompanied by explanations and discussions designed to educate and motivate patients. After 6 months a second Silness and Loe plaque index record was taken, along with further training of the children.

Results: At baseline, 14 (70% of the total) completely blind children and 34 (40.9%) children with a partial visual defect took part. The second Silness and Loe recording saw 9 (64.2% of those at baseline) totally blind children and 28 (82.3% baseline) children with partial visual deficit. The plaque index decreased from an average of 2.4 in those blind to an average of 1.8 and from an average of 2.5 in those with visual defects to an average of 1.8. However, this is still higher than in non-impaired Romanian children (1.2).

Conclusions: Total or partial visual impairment is linked to poorer dental hygiene in Romanian children. Through education lessons and through practical sustained repetitive education, oral hygiene can be improved by the joint efforts of relatives, educators and dentists.