The effectiveness of oral hygiene instructions in sign language among hearing impaired adults in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE

To improve knowledge of oral health among the hearing impaired in Saudi Arabia using videos with detailed oral hygiene instructions in Arabic sign language.

METHODS

Videos of oral hygiene instructions in Arabic sign language were produced under the supervision of a periodontist. Fifty male subjects above 18 years of age were chosen randomly from different deaf schools in Jazan, Saudi Arabia and divided into two groups as follows: Group 1 received printed booklets with oral hygiene instructions, and Group 2 received videos of the same instructions in Arabic sign language. Knowledge regarding oral health and hygiene practice was evaluated with the aid of a questionnaire before and after 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The estimated marginal mean of the knowledge regarding oral hygiene in Group 1 was 3.37, which was slightly increased to 4.40 after 4 weeks of general instructions. The estimated marginal mean in Group 2 was 3.70 before the distribution of the videos, which was significantly increased to 11 after 4 weeks (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Videos of oral hygiene instructions in Arabic sign language had immensely improved knowledge regarding oral health and hygiene practices in the deaf/hearing impaired patients in this study.