Oral hygiene practices among the visually impaired adolescents.
- Author:
A.N. Azrina
;
G. Norzuliza
;
R. Saub
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
visually impaired;
oral hygiene practices;
oral health survey
- From:
Annals of Dentistry
2007;14(1):1-6
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to gather information
on the oral hygiene behaviour among the visually
impaired adolescents. Interview and observation
methods were used to collect data. A total of 114
visually impaired adolescents were interviewed and
10 of the interviewees were selected for observation
on the actual oral hygiene practices. The mean age
of the sample was 16 years old. The sample
comprised of 53.5% female, majority were Malays
(86.8%) and most of them were from the lower
income group. Fifty four percent of the sample had
low vision and 45.6% were blind. All of the
participants reported that they brushed their teeth
daily and most of them brushed twice a day or more.
Flossing (6.1%) was not common practice among
this group. It was observed that they encountered
some difficulties, especially when putting the
toothpaste on the toothbrush and also the way that
they brushed their teeth could cause detrimental
effect to the oral cavity. Thus, they need to be taught
on proper oral hygiene care so that they can practice
safe oral hygiene care and maintain their own oral
health.
- Full text:W020150904317328560544.pdf
