Na-Ri Shin1, Jun-Seon Choi2. 1. Department of Dental Hygiene, Graduate School of Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: junseon@gachon.ac.kr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the relationship between manual dexterity and dental biofilm accumulation in independent older Koreans using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 44 participants recruited from senior welfare facilities in South Korea and aged ≥65 years. Participants were surveyed using face-to-face structured interviews; manual dexterity was assessed using the Box and Blocks Test. To evaluate dental biofilm accumulation, the 528 surfaces of six index teeth were imaged using QLF-D and then quantified into Simple Plaque Scores (SPS) and ΔR20 values. The t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze differences in SPS and ΔR20 according to general characteristics and manual dexterity. RESULTS: Those who brushed their teeth ≤2 times per day had higher SPS and ΔR20 values on the lingual surface of tooth #24 than those who brushed ≥3 times per day (p < 0.05). The low manual dexterity group had higher SPS on lingual surfaces of teeth #12, #24, and #32, as well as higher ΔR20 values on the lingual surfaces of teeth #12, #24, #32, and #44 (p < 0.05) than the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: The low manual dexterity group had more dental biofilm-particularly on the lingual surfaces of teeth-and more mature biofilm than the normal group. These findings indicate that reduced manual dexterity could be a predictor of poor oral hygiene in independent older adults without hand disabilities. Therefore, we suggest manual dexterity be assessed in advance of dental biofilm assessment and tooth brushing instruction.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the relationship between manual dexterity and dental biofilm accumulation in independent older Koreans using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 44 participants recruited from senior welfare facilities in South Korea and aged ≥65 years. Participants were surveyed using face-to-face structured interviews; manual dexterity was assessed using the Box and Blocks Test. To evaluate dental biofilm accumulation, the 528 surfaces of six index teeth were imaged using QLF-D and then quantified into Simple Plaque Scores (SPS) and ΔR20 values. The t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze differences in SPS and ΔR20 according to general characteristics and manual dexterity. RESULTS: Those who brushed their teeth ≤2 times per day had higher SPS and ΔR20 values on the lingual surface of tooth #24 than those who brushed ≥3 times per day (p < 0.05). The low manual dexterity group had higher SPS on lingual surfaces of teeth #12, #24, and #32, as well as higher ΔR20 values on the lingual surfaces of teeth #12, #24, #32, and #44 (p < 0.05) than the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: The low manual dexterity group had more dental biofilm-particularly on the lingual surfaces of teeth-and more mature biofilm than the normal group. These findings indicate that reduced manual dexterity could be a predictor of poor oral hygiene in independent older adults without hand disabilities. Therefore, we suggest manual dexterity be assessed in advance of dental biofilm assessment and tooth brushing instruction.