Effect of oral health education by audio aids, Braille & tactile models on the oral health status of visually impaired children of Bhopal city.

BACKGROUND

Braille is important language for reading & writing for the visually impaired. It helps them understand & visualize the world via touch. Audio aids are being used to impart health education to the visually impaired. Audio aids are useful in being time saving & can be played repeatedly to achieve desired results. Tactile models help them perceive things which they can't visualize & hence are important learning tool.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of Oral Health education by Audio aids, Braille & tactile models on the Oral health status of visually impaired children of Bhopal city.

MATERIAL & METHODS: Sixty visually impaired children aged 5-18 yrs were selected & randomly divided into three groups (20 children each). Group A: Audio aids + Braille, Group B: Audio aids + tactile models, Group C: Audio aids + Braille + Tactile models. Instructions were given for maintaining good oral hygiene & brushing techniques were explained to all children. After three months time the oral hygiene status was recorded and compared using patient hygiene performance index.

RESULTS

The present study showed a decrease in the mean plaque scores (that is increase in mean difference of PHP score) at all time intervals in individual group as compared to the baseline that was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The study depicts that the combination of audio, Braille & tactile models is an effective way to provide oral health education & improve Oral health status of visually impaired children.