Evaluation of the effectiveness of novel oral hygiene aids in the prevention of gingival diseases in children and adolescents with special healthcare needs - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Due to a lack of manual dexterity, impaired cognitive and general development, and awareness of caregivers, special children are not able to maintain good oral health. This leads to the development of dental plaque, gingival inflammation, and further periodontal diseases. It is, thus, necessary for dentists and caregivers to understand which of oral hygiene aids can be best suited for a child with special healthcare needs. The aim of this review is to evaluate the most efficacious oral healthcare aids in children and adolescents with special healthcare needs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic search was conducted in databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ProQuest for studies published from January 1, 2000, till December 31, 2023. Randomized trials conducted among children and adolescents with special healthcare needs below 18 years using oral hygiene aids to reduce plaque were included in this review.

RESULTS

A total of 23 articles satisfying eligibility criteria were included in the systematic review and 11 articles for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was divided into two parts. Novel toothbrushes were more effective than manual toothbrushes with = 0.01 (SMD: Standard Mean Difference) 95% confidence interval: -4.23 (-7.62, -0.85), = 99.63%). In chemical oral hygiene aids, chlorhexidine (CHX) spray at concentration of 0.12% was found to be more effective than placebo to control plaque and was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence suggests that novel mechanical oral hygiene aids used with CHX spray as an adjunct can be best suited for children and adolescents with special healthcare needs to control plaque.