Mission accomplished? Oral hygiene skills at the end of oral health group prevention programs

Abstract

Background: In Germany, oral health group prevention programs are provided until 12 years of age and afterwards individual prophylaxis until the age of 18. Regardless of these measures, 18-year-olds proved to be unable to remove most of their plaque deposits: about 80% of their gingival margins show persistent plaque immediately after tooth brushing. The present study aimed to assess plaque removal in 12-year-olds, comparing two similarly structured provincial towns (Giessen, Marburg) with different concepts of group prevention programs in this respect. Method: 189 (N=99 Giessen; N=90 Marburg) 12-year-olds of random samples within each town volunteered and were eligible for the study (inclusion criteria: no fixed orthodontic appliances, habitual use of manual toothbrushes). Plaque levels were assessed prior to and immediately after thorough tooth brushing. Findings: No differences between Giessen and Marburg were found with respect to plaque prior to or after brushing (p>0.171). Nearly 50% of gingival margins showed persistent plaque immediately after thorough tooth brushing (N=189). Discussion: In this study 12-year-olds showed remarkably less plaque deposits immediately after thorough tooth brushing than previously found in 18-year-olds. This indicates that some positive effects of oral hygiene education in childhood fade off during adolescence. The comparison between the two towns suggests that the results are not specific for one or another prophylaxis concept. Results also indicate that at the end of group prevention programs plaque removal skills are still deficient. Video analyses of the brushing behaviour are currently performed in order to better understand the nature of these findings.