Mechanical and chemical home plaque control: a study of Brazilian children and adolescents with disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compliance of children and adolescents with disabilities with a home plaque control program. A random sample of 52 students between 7 and 21 years old was solicited from a special school, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Measurement of the Debris Index and the presence of bleeding on light probing of the buccal gingival papillae were included as part of the initial clinical examination. Plaque control instructions were given during the first and subsequent clinical sessions. During the fourth clinical session, the patients who had more than 25% sites with bleeding papillae on light probing were placed in a separate group (Group 2) which used a mechanical and chemical plaque control protocol. Group 1 consisted of persons who used mechanical plaque control only. All of the patients were followed up for two more recalls (days 51, 81) during which they were given plaque control instruction and had another gingival examination. On day 111, the final Debris Index and gingival examination were carried out. A significant reduction (p < 0.02) was found between the first and final Debris Index recordings in both groups. Subjects in Group 1 had a significant reduction (p < 0.001) when the first gingival examination was compared with days 21, 51, 81, and 111. Group 2 showed significant reduction (p < 0.01) in gingival bleeding when day 21 was compared with days 81 and 111. Our study suggests that it is possible for these children/adolescents and their parents to learn and comply with mechanical and chemical plaque control at home.