Effect of xylitol candies on plaque and gingival indices in physically disabled school pupils.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of xylitol candies on plaque and gingival index scores on physically disabled school pupils in Kuwait.


METHODS
Altogether 145 school pupils (105 in the xylitol group and 40 in the control group), with ages ranging from 10 to 27 years (mean age = 14.7 +/- 3.1 years), participated in this 18-month intervention program. The school health nurses distributed xylitol candies to the pupils three times during the school day. Plaque was scored according to the Silness and Löe Plaque Index, and gingivitis according to the Löe and Silness Gingival Index.


RESULTS
The mean Plaque Index score decreased from 1.73 to 1.14 (p < 0.001), and the mean Gingival Index score from 1.74 to 1.16 (p < 0.001) in the study group. Significant differences were found between the xylitol and the control groups in the reduction of Plaque (p = 0.037) and Gingival Index scores (p = 0.008). There was high correlation between the individual Plaque and Gingival Index scores at baseline (r = 0.93) and at the final examinations (r = 0.95).


CONCLUSIONS
Consuming xylitol candies three times during school days seemed to reduce both the Plaque and Gingival Index scores. This school-based delivery system offered a practical way to distribute and use xylitol candies among these disabled pupils. The regular use of xylitol candies may, therefore, support oral hygiene routines in disabled pupils.
Shyama
Maddi
M
National School Oral Health Program, Ministry of Health, Kuwait. mshyama@yahoo.com
Honkala
Eino
E
Honkala
Sisko
S
Al-Mutawa
Sabiha A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002182:Candy; D002648:Child; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013549:Sweetening Agents; D014993:Xylitol