title: Training caregivers: disabilities and dental hygiene.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to measure the effectiveness of oral health education and training among caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled study design. Participants were randomized from the sample n = 30. n = 14 participants in the experimental group and n = 10 in the control group. The experimental group received a lecture and hands-on training in oral hygiene procedures. The control group received a facilitated group discussion. Both groups received a pre-post test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considering the two groups independently, using a paired t-test, the experimental group, n = 14 had a score difference of 0.0607 (P-value = 0.01) and the control group n = 10, had a score difference of 0.035 (P-value = 0.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that knowledge was improved among caregivers following the implementation of formal oral hygiene training. Although the control group also showed some improvements with the facilitated discussion, the results are not significant to say that both the formal training and the facilitated discussion are equally important in training caregivers effectively.
authors: Division of Dental Hygiene, School of Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors: E E
authors: EE
authors: Gonzalez
authors: C N
authors: CN
authors: Nathe
authors: D D
authors: DD
authors: Logothetis
authors: V G
authors: VG
authors: Pizanis
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Sanchez-Dils
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D018450:Disease Progression; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods
keywords: developmental disabilities; oral health; oral hygiene training; special needs