The evaluation of oral hygiene instruction in reduction of plaque index

The main etiologic factor for periodontal disease is bacterial plaque elimination of the plaque by plaque control procedures, is one of the main treatment modalities of periodontal disease. In this respect, the most important problem in plaque control is oral hygiene instruction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of oral hygiene instructions in periodontics department of Tabriz dental faculty on reduction of plaque index from 1999-2001 in admitted patients. Methods & Materials: The charts of 161 patients were studied randomly and the information about variables such as age, occupation, sex of educator and level of educator’s knowledge were registered. Then the information were statistically analyzed, using SPSS program.

In accordance with other studies, oral hygiene instruction caused significant reduction in plaque index. In addition, reduction of plaque index was greater in females than in males but there was not a significant relationship between reduction of plaque index and age, occupation and level of educator’s knowledge. There was a significant relationship between plaque reduction and sex of educator and patient. The reduction of plaque index in females when the student was male was 45% and 38% when the educator was female. The reduction of plaque index in male patients when the educator was male, was 40% and 34% when the educator was female.

It seems that instructions taught for dental students in motivating the patients to maintain therapy and perform oral hygiene were inefficient and a change in oral hygiene instructions is recommended.