The suitable frequency of using disclosing tablet in the primary school after-lunch tooth brushing program.

Abstract

This experimental study aimed to investigate the suitable frequency of disclosing tablet used in the primary school after-lunch tooth brushing program.

127 primary school children, mean age 9.5, were categorized into 3 groups as follow : The first was assigned as control group, their after-lunch tooth brushing were not given disclosing tablets; the second group were given, every two weeks, a disclosing tablet during their after-lunch tooth brushing; and the last group also had to chew those weekly given tablets and brush their teeth daily after lunch time. Based-line data of gingival index (GI) and dental plaque index (PHP) were collected. The treatment among the individually related three groups was persued after one month. The reference indicies used were gingival index (Loe and Silness 1963) and PHP index (Patient Hygiene Performance ; Podshadley and Haley 1968).

The difference of mean GI scores and mean PHP scores before and after the study within the second group and the third group were statistically significant (p < 0.05), but those within the control group were not statistically different.

There was an effect of frequency of using the disclosing tablet on the cleanliness of tooth brushing, namely; the third group with weekly use of disclosing tablets was different from the second and the control group.

There was no significant difference of cleanliness between the second group and the control group.