Evaluation of the Ability of Five- to 11-Year-Olds to Brush Their Teeth Effectively with Manual and Electric Toothbrushing.

This study's purposes were to: (1) correlate toothbrushing effectiveness measured by plaque removal with children's parent- reported ability to perform life tasks and their executive function; and (2) compare plaque removal by children using a manual versus electric toothbrush. A convenience sample of 120 healthy five- to 11-year-olds was randomly and evenly assigned to manual or electric tooth- brush groups. A questionnaire was developed from items selected from previously validated social science instruments and completed by caregivers. Plaque was measured by calibrated scorers using the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified before and after children brushed with respective toothbrushes. Statistical significance was established at P<0.05. The type of toothbrush had no effect on brushing effectiveness. Ability to write a complete address, tie shoes independently, cut meat with a knife, and cut out complex shapes were associated with better toothbrushing effectiveness. Increasing ability to play a musical instrument and wash dishes independently were associated with increased plaque removal. Parents were good predictors of a child's readiness to brush, based on plaque removal scores. Certain life skills and quality of performance of tasks were associated with toothbrushing effectiveness in five- to 11-year-olds and may be used to determine a child's readiness to brush independently.