School Based Tooth Brushing with Fluoridated Toothpaste at Residential School

Objectives:

To Evaluate The efficacy of toothbrushing with fluoride containing toothpaste on caries and plaque scores using approriate indices and its implications for future caries preventive programmes in school based schemes.

Methods:

6 to 12 year old ,300 of the 2700 children at the Free residential school of thr rural India were included in the programme.

The gingival health and oral hygiene assessment was carried out by using gingival index of Loe and Silness and Quigley Hine plaque score indices.

Caries was recorded by Mollers index at baseline and at the end of one year.

Results:

In 6 to 12 year old children the total mean plaque score reduced from 6.95 to 4.99 on follow up ( p<0.001).

THe total gingival score reduced from 2.06 t0 1.71 on follow up (p<0.001).

The caries recording showed increase in dft from 4.50 to 4.59 (p<0.5)and dfs showed decrease from 9.02 to 7.81

(p<0.001).

While the mean DMFT decreased from 3.97 to 3.56

(p<0.001) and DMFS decreased from 8.16 to 6.09

(P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Statistically significant reduction in mean plaque, gingival scores indicates the improved toothbrushing efficiency. With regard to dental caries status at followup negative increments were recored in dfs, DMFT and DMFS.