A systematic review and meta‐analysis of dental plaque control among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background People with intellectual disabilities (ID) typically have poorer oral health. Oral diseases have a microbiological origin, and thus, dental plaque control (DPC) is key to safeguard their oral health. Methods A structured search strategy was applied to screen oral health promotion initiatives for DPC among children and adolescents with ID following PRISMA statements. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Results From 1,455 citations, 22 studies informed this review. Seven studies related to mechanical interventions and 13 to chemical interventions. Qualitative analyses found conventional toothbrushes were less effective than modified toothbrushes but quantitative analyses were conflicting. Of the nine studies that compared chlorhexidine to placebos, seven reported chlorhexidine was more effective than placebos. Meta‐analysis favoured chlorhexidine to placebos (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.34–0.63). Conclusions Both mechanical and chemical interventions are effective for DPC. It is unclear whether they are alternative means for DPC or whether they are best employed together.

Higiene oral en niños con discapacidad intelectual en una institución de la Ciudad de Corrientes

“…Coincide con estos resultados un trabajo realizado en personas discapacitadas de distintos grupos etarios residentes en la Fundación Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione en Paraguay 15 . Al respecto una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica concluyó que las intervenciones mecánicas y químicas son efectivas para el control de la biopelícula dental en pacientes con discapacidad 16 .…”

Oral health education and promotion in special needs children: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Two recent meta‐analyses explored which oral health promotion strategies were more effective in children and adolescents with ID based on evidence from clinical trials, focussing on dental plaque scores (McGrath et al., 2019), caries and gingival status (Zhou et al., 2019). However, notable methodological flaws were noted in both meta‐analyses.…”

Toothbrush deterioration and parents’ suggestions to improve the design of toothbrushes used by children with special care needs

“…Toothbrushes are the primary tools for dental plaque control and dental disease prevention [ 1 , 2 ]. If misused, toothbrushes can have adverse effects on soft tissues and hard dental tissues.…”

“…If misused, toothbrushes can have adverse effects on soft tissues and hard dental tissues. It was documented that gingival abrasion, abrasion of dentin, bristle impaction, or ulceration could be caused by traumatic toothbrushing [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. Various factors can contribute to the traumatic toothbrushing, including, brushing force, brushing technique, type of toothbrushes, component of toothpaste, texture or shapes of toothbrush bristles, and the time of use [ 4 – 7 ].…”