title: Use of a disclosed plaque visualization technique improved the self-performed, tooth brushing ability of primary schoolchildren.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disclosing agents have a long history of use as an aid in children's tooth brushing instruction. However, their benefit when used to improve self-performed tooth brushing ability without any tooth brushing instruction has not been investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of disclosed plaque visualization on improving the self-performed, tooth brushing ability of primary school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster-randomized, crossover study was conducted in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. A total of 122 second-grade schoolchildren, aged 8-10 years old, from 12 schools were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group was assigned to brush with disclosed plaque visualization, while the other group brushed without disclosed plaque visualization. One month later the groups switched procedures. Tooth brushing ability was evaluated by the subjects' reduction in patient hygiene performance (PHP) scores. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, with significance set at p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Disclosed plaque visualization had a significant effect on improving the children's self-performed, tooth brushing ability in all areas of the mouth (p<0.001), particularly for anterior teeth, mandibular teeth, buccal surfaces, and areas adjacent to the gingival margin (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disclosed plaque visualization is a viable technique to improve children's self-performed tooth brushing ability, and could be used in school-based oral health promotion programs.
authors.forename: Napa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chounchaisithi
authors.forename: Busayarat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Santiwong
authors.forename: Sirikarn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sutthavong
authors.forename: Pompun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Asvanit
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012572:School Health Services; D013785:Thailand; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014099:Toothbrushing; D016896:Treatment Outcome