title: The retention of newly-acquired brushing and flossing skills.
abstract: Brushing and flossing ability increased dramatically 3 weeks following 2 sessions of oral hygiene instructions. At the same time, the plaque index for these patients decreased significantly. 1 year after the oral hygiene instruction, the plaque index for these patients returned to the pre-intervention levels. However, these patients were able to maintain their 3-week post-intervention brushing and flossing scores. We conclude that increased levels of plaque 1 year later, was not due to loss of brushing and flossing skills.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles VA Outpatient Clinic, California.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing