title: Evaluation of calculus accumulation in tube-fed, mentally handicapped patients: the effects of oral hygiene status.
abstract: A group of fifteen tube-fed mentally handicapped subjects were compared with a similar group of fifteen nontube-fed subjects to determine the rate of calculus formation during a 60-day period of intensive oral hygiene care. The findings indicate that calculus formation is significantly more rapid in the tube-fed group, although the oral hygiene levels of the tube-fed group were superior. Nearly half (48%) of this calculus accumulated within the first 3 weeks. The calculus accumulation for both groups was lower than that indicated in a previous study where oral hygiene was poor.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Retardation Center.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dicks
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Banning
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000209:etiology*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male