title: A comparative evaluation of oral hygiene using Braille and audio instructions among institutionalized visually impaired children aged between 6 years and 20 years: A 3-monthfollow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare the oral hygiene status among institutionalized visually impaired children of age between 6 and 20 years given with Braille and audio instructions in Raichur city of Karnataka.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 children aged between 6 to 20 years were included in this study from a residential school for visually impaired children. These children were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was given oral hygiene instructions by audio recordings and another written in Braille and were instructed to practice the same. After three months time the oral hygiene status and dental caries experience was recorded and compared using patient performance index. Statistical analysis was done by student paired t test and multiple comparison by Tukey's HSD (honest significant difference) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean PHP (Patient Hygiene Performance) score of group A at baseline was 3.88 compared to 3.90 of group B. At 7 days PHP score of group A and group B was 3.42 and 3.45 respectively. At 3 month PHP score of group A and group B was 2.47 and 2.86 respectively. Even though over a period of time the mean score of PHP index reduced the score comparison between the 2 groups were statistically non significant. In group A the mean difference of PHP score between baseline and 7 days was 0.46, between baseline and 3 months it was 1.40. The PHP score between 7 days and 3 months was 0.94. All the above values were statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective dental health education method has to be instituted for visually impaired children. The present study shows improvement of oral health status in both the study population by decrease in the mean plaque score. Hence continuous motivation and reinforcement in the form of Braille and audio instruction is beneficial to achieve good oral hygiene levels in visually impaired children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Taranatha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahantesha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Parveen Reddy
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Praveen Kumar Nugadoni
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Halemani
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, GSL Dental College, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vinutna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Buddiga
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Kannur Dental College, Kannur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Sarpangala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mythri
keywords: Braille; dental caries; oral hygiene; visually impaired