Ni Zhou1,2, Hai Ming Wong3, Colman McGrath4. 1. Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. 2. Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China. 3. Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, The Prince Philip Dental Hospital, 34 Hospital Road, Hong Kong, China. wonghmg@hku.hk. 4. Periodontology & Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of adaptive functioning and oral hygiene practices on tooth-brushing performance among preschool children with special health care needs (SHCN). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Special Child Care Centers. Children's tooth-brushing performance was assessed by a standardized 13-step pro forma. Information regarding children's socio-economic status, adaptive skills, and oral hygiene practices were collected. Bivariate analysis and ANCOVA were used to explore the potential factors which might be associated with children's tooth-brushing performance. RESULTS: The tooth-brushing assessment was provided to 379 children with SHCN. Approximately 3% of the recruited children performed the whole tooth-brushing procedure independently. The number of tooth-brushing steps practiced by those children was 4.47 ± 3.56. Children who had established tooth-brushing habit before age one practiced more tooth-brushing steps than children who brushed their teeth after age one (p = 0.029). When children's age, gender, and socio-economic status were adjusted, children who had established regular tooth-brushing habit or children who had high levels of adaptive skills showed better tooth-brushing performance than their peers. Children who used gauze, cotton swab, or dental floss to clean their teeth practiced fewer key tooth-brushing steps than their peers who had never used additional cleaning approaches (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Children's tooth-brushing performance was associated with adaptive skills and oral hygiene practices. Tooth-brushing training should be provided to children with SHCN in early childhood. For children who had limitations in adaptive functioning, parental assistance or supervision is recommended to guarantee the efficacy and safety of daily tooth brushing.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of adaptive functioning and oral hygiene practices on tooth-brushing performance among preschool children with special health care needs (SHCN). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Special Child Care Centers. Children's tooth-brushing performance was assessed by a standardized 13-step pro forma. Information regarding children's socio-economic status, adaptive skills, and oral hygiene practices were collected. Bivariate analysis and ANCOVA were used to explore the potential factors which might be associated with children's tooth-brushing performance. RESULTS: The tooth-brushing assessment was provided to 379 children with SHCN. Approximately 3% of the recruited children performed the whole tooth-brushing procedure independently. The number of tooth-brushing steps practiced by those children was 4.47 ± 3.56. Children who had established tooth-brushing habit before age one practiced more tooth-brushing steps than children who brushed their teeth after age one (p = 0.029). When children's age, gender, and socio-economic status were adjusted, children who had established regular tooth-brushing habit or children who had high levels of adaptive skills showed better tooth-brushing performance than their peers. Children who used gauze, cotton swab, or dental floss to clean their teeth practiced fewer key tooth-brushing steps than their peers who had never used additional cleaning approaches (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Children's tooth-brushing performance was associated with adaptive skills and oral hygiene practices. Tooth-brushing training should be provided to children with SHCN in early childhood. For children who had limitations in adaptive functioning, parental assistance or supervision is recommended to guarantee the efficacy and safety of daily tooth brushing.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adaptive functioning; Oral hygiene; Pediatric; Special needs; Tooth brushing
Authors: Brent R Collett; Colleen E Huebner; Ana Lucia Seminario; Erin Wallace; Kristen E Gray; Matthew L Speltz Journal: Int J Paediatr Dent Date: 2015-07-04 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Hai Ming Wong; Susan M Bridges; Cynthia K Y Yiu; Colman P J McGrath; Terry K Au; Divya S Parthasarathy Journal: Int J Paediatr Dent Date: 2013-01-24 Impact factor: 3.455