title: Efficiency of professional tooth brushing before ultrasonic scaling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine the effect of dental plaque biofilm removal with a toothbrush, an interdental brush and dental floss by a dental hygienist prior to ultrasonic scaling on treatment times and client satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted among adults who received scaling after agreeing to participate in this study at a dental clinic in Seoul, Korea, from July to September 2012. Thirty-seven subjects received modified scaling (M-scaling) which is ultrasonic scaling after plaque control with a toothbrush and dental floss by a dental hygienist, and 37 subjects received routine ultrasonic scaling (R-scaling). Univariate and multivariate analyses and chi-squared and t-tests were conducted using SAS. This study was approved by the Kangwon Institutional Review Board.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found between the outcomes of M- and R-scaling for both the ultrasonic scaling time (M-scaling, 7.41 ± 6.18 min; R-scaling, 23.22 ± 6.92 min) and the total tooth cleaning time (M-scaling, 15.92 ± 7.70 min; R-scaling, 23.22 ± 6.92 min) (P < 0.001). Subject satisfaction with the scaling process was not significantly different between M-scaling (4.54 ± 0.80) and R-scaling (4.84 ± 0.44).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicated that removing the dental plaque biofilm with a toothbrush and dental floss by a hygienist before scaling with an ultrasonic device was more effective in reducing the working time of the dental hygienist.
authors.affiliation: Boa Dental Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000628:therapy; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: dental hygienist; tooth brushing; ultrasonic scaling