Effectiveness of oral self-care among adult Gullah-speaking African Americans with diabetes.
We investigated the efficacy of plaque removal after an oral self-care demonstration among adult Gullah-speaking African Americans with diabetes. Fifty-four adults with diabetes completed an observed, uninstructed oral self-care demonstration with their normal mode of oral self-care. Before and after the oral self-care demonstration, the plaque levels of six test teeth were assessed using the Plaque Index. The mean percentage of plaque removal after the oral self-care demonstration was 27.4%. The mandibular teeth and the lingual surface had less plaque removal compared with the maxillary teeth and buccal surfaces. Only approximately 10% of participants achieved 50% or more plaque removal after the oral self-care demonstration. Thus, the majority of the participants did not achieve an acceptable level of plaque removal. Dental health professionals should emphasize better oral home care for people with diabetes and teach them how to access the lingual surfaces, especially of the mandibular teeth.
Yuen
Hon K
HK
Occupational Therapy Division, Department of Health Professions, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. yuen@musc.edu
Tress
Mary E
ME
Salinas
Carlos F
CF
Slate
Elizabeth H
EH
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013022:South Carolina; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data