Advances in Dental Research, Vol 8, 278-284, Copyright © 1994 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
The effect of a new oral hygiene training program on approximal caries in 12-15-year-old Brazilian children: results after three years
P. Axelsson, Y. A. Buischi, M. F. Barbosa, R. Karlsson and M. C. Prado
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Public Dental Health Service, Karlstad, Sweden.
This study evaluated the effects of a new oral hygiene training program on
approximal caries in a population of 12-13-year-old Brazilian
schoolchildren with a well-established habit of daily toothbrushing with a
F dentifrice. Two hundred twenty-two children were randomly allocated into
two test groups (I and II) and one control group (III). Group I subjects
were trained to establish needs-related oral hygiene habits based on
self-diagnosis and a new behavioral principle, the 'linking method', for
establishment of habits. The first three visits (20 minutes each) were
scheduled at two-day intervals. They were recalled for a monthly check-up
during the first 4 months, and then every 3 months for reevaluation of the
results based on self-diagnosis. Group II subjects were recalled at the
same intervals for detailed oral hygiene instruction on how to clean every
tooth surface using dental tape, toothbrush, and fluoride dentifrice. Group
I developed significantly fewer (p < 0.001) new approximal manifest
(dentin) caries lesions than groups II and III. The mean values (SEM) were
2.3 (0.29), 4.7 (0.59), and 5.3 (0.68), respectively. The conclusions from
our study are: In a toothbrushing population using fluoride dentifrices and
fluoridated drinking water, the oral hygiene training program with
behavioral modification significantly reduced caries incidence on
approximal surfaces. Frequent repetition of training in meticulous oral
hygiene is almost redundant.
