Comparison of video and written instructions for plaque removal by an oscillating/rotating/reciprocating electric toothbrush.
A previous crossover study showed that a watch-and-follow instructional video improved plaque removal by an electric toothbrush compared to the use of the instructional leaflet. This study employed a parallel design to assess the value of an instructional video for plaque removal by a new model oscillating/rotating/reciprocating electric toothbrush. 2 groups of 26 dentate subjects with average oral hygiene, who had never used an electric toothbrush, participated in this single blind, randomised parallel group designed study. On day 1 of the study, subjects received a professional prophylaxis to remove all plaque. Oral hygiene measures were then suspended and subjects returned on day 3 when a prebrushing plaque score was recorded by plaque index and area. Subjects withdrew and either read the manufacturers instructional leaflet (group L) or observed the instructional video (group V). Groups L and V then performed toothbrushing with toothpaste for 2 minutes and with group V brushing in time with the instructional video. Post-brushing plaque indices and areas were then recorded. Whole mouth, lingual, upper, lower, anterior and posterior but not buccal % reductions in plaque index and area were significantly greater in group V compared to group L. % plaque removal was also significantly greater by area at mid and distal sites but not mesial sites. Whole-mouth plaque reductions were 10% greater in group V but reached >15% at lingual surfaces. Within group differences in plaque removal at paired sites e.g., buccal/lingual, remained similar, suggesting that further improvement could be achieved by modifying the video to devote more time to the difficult-to-clean areas. In conclusion, in the early period of learning the use of an electric toothbrush, plaque removal can be improved by using an instructional video. Such watch-and-follow video routines could be extended to other areas of oral hygiene practices.
Renton-Harper
P
P
Division of Restorative Dentistry, Dental School, Bristol, England, United Kingdom.
Addy
M
M
Warren
P
P
Newcombe
R G
RG
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014743:Videotape Recording