Manual versus sonic powered toothbrushing in patients with intellectual disability: a cluster-randomized clinical trial.
To compare the use of sonic powered or manual toothbrush in patients with intellectual disability (ID) in terms of plaque (PlI) and gingival (GI) indices and adverse effects.



Subjects with ID were recruited for this cluster-randomized, single blinded (examiner), 6-month clinical trial, comparing powered versus manual toothbrushing. Outcome variables included PlI and GI, evaluated at baseline and 3 months after supervised toothbrushing and after 3 additional months of unsupervised used. Clinical outcome variables were analysed by repeated measures ANCOVA considering time and group as factors and respective baseline values as covariates (generalized linear model).



Sixty-four patients (34 male, mean age 34.5) in six clusters were included in the study. No statistically significant effect of toothbrushing group was observed for PlI or GI. A significant effect of time was identified (p < 0.001) with mean reductions ranging 0.44-0.45 for PlI and 0.30-0.36 for GI from baseline to 3-6 months. No relevant adverse effect or technical problems were observed.



The tested sonic powered toothbrush was as effective and safe as the manual toothbrush. The use of powered or manual toothbrushes, together with fluoride toothpaste, may improve plaque and gingivitis levels, in patients with mild to limit ID.
Dentistry Department, San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain.
Ana
A
García-Carrillo
Section of Graduate Periodontology, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Antonio
A
Jover
Section of Graduate Periodontology, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Rafael
R
Plá
Fundación Carmen Pardo-Valcarce, Madrid, Spain.
Almudena
A
Martorell
Fundación Carmen Pardo-Valcarce, Madrid, Spain.
Cristina
C
Sota
Section of Special Patients in Dentistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Gerardo
G
Gómez-Moreno
ETEP (Etiology and Therapy of Periodontal Diseases) Research Group, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Elena
E
Figuero
ETEP (Etiology and Therapy of Periodontal Diseases) Research Group, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Mariano
M
Sanz
ETEP (Etiology and Therapy of Periodontal Diseases) Research Group, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
David
0000-0002-5554-2777
D
Herrera
D000328:Adult; D003773:Dental Plaque; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014099:Toothbrushing
dental plaque; gingivitis; intellectual disability; powered toothbrush; toothbrushing