title: Effectiveness of Various Sensory Input Methods in Dental Health Education Among Blind Children- A Comparative Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to evaluate effectiveness of various sensory input methods in dental health education among blind children. Oral hygiene status was assessed through visible plaque index and oral hygiene knowledge was assessed through questionnaire before and after oral health education.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved of 200 blind children with the age range of 8 to 14 years of both genders from two blind schools similar in standard of teaching. The total study population (n=200) was randomized and divided into five Groups, comprising of 40 children in each Group. The first four were the experimental Groups who received dental health education through different modes, while the fifth Group served as control. Oral health related knowledge and plaque scores were assessed in all the study Groups before and after dental health education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After intervention, the mean knowledge scores and plaque scores were statistically significant in all the study Groups when compared to the baseline scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study proved that blind children can maintain an acceptable level of oral hygiene when taught with special customized methods like multisensory approach with creative use of other senses which was found to be effective than unisensory method.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Aruna Kumari
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ganapathi
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Pedodontics, Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery , Vikarabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Namineni
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Surgery, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Phani Himaja
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Vaaka
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Vamsilatha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: K
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Rupali
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Pathology, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Maruti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Anitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akkaloori
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mallareddy Dental College for Women , Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Aravind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumbakonam
keywords: Health education; Oral Health; Oral hygiene