The importance of oral health education in patients receiving orthodontic treatment in Malta

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a well targeted educational campaign specially designed towards the improvement of oral health, and maintenance of removable orthodontic appliances should be considered during an orthodontic treatment. Objectives: To assess the impact of the oral hygiene protocol on oral health through assessing plaque accumulation on the removable orthodontic appliance, to establish the impact of oral hygiene protocol on oral health through assessing the patients’ plaque accumulation on the tooth surface and gingival bleeding and to evaluate the degree of halitosis between the intervention and control groups. Materials & Methods: The study involved 40 patients who were equally assigned to the intervention and control removable orthodontic treatment groups. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, soft-tissue examination, breath checker, and staining the appliance with methylene blue disclosing solution. Results: The plaque score of both groups at Review 2 emphasized a significant difference (p=0.021), yet no differences at baseline (p=0.989) nor Review 1 (p=0.786) were found. The odour score of both groups at Review 2 showed a significant difference (p=0.012). All interventional patients and only 10% of the control group patients were aware of appliance removal during sport. There was no significant difference (p=0.211) between the responses of patients concerning the cleaning method of the appliance. The patients showed a higher user rate of mouthwash, and they were more successful with respect to when it should be used. Conclusion: The educational campaign proved to be effective in improving the participants oral health status, and oral hygiene procedures.