Abstract

SCOPEL, Cláudia Regina; SABBAGH-HADDAD, Denise; SABBAGH-HADDAD, Aida  and  GUARE, Renata de Oliveira. Playful-teaching program for the control of dental biofilm in the visually impaired. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2011, vol.47, n.4, pp. 208-214. ISSN 1516-0939.

Aim: To develop a playful-teaching program of prevention and motivation for the visually impaired, evaluating them by means of the Gingival Index (GI) and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (SOHI). Materials and Methods: The present study evaluated 15 individuals with visual impairment from the Association of Parents and Friends of the Visually Impaired in Caxias do Sul/RS, from both genders, from 13 to 49 years of age, assigned to two groups: blind (experimental group) and patients with subnormal vision (control group). During six meetings (initial, 15, 45, 75, 105, and 120 days), all participants received the same information and participated in the same activities conducted by the same examiner (kappa=0.86). After each activity, the GI and SOHI were performed. The data were evaluated considering the significance level of 5% (Friedman and Mann-Whitney Test). Results: The SOHI revealed a significant change in the control group, with decreased SOHI values during the period of 15 to 105 days (p<0.01), which did not occur with the experimental group (p=0.77). Upon assessing the GI in the control group, a reduction in the SOHI throughout the entire period could be observed (p<0.01). In the group with visual impairments, the GI diminished during the period between 75 and 105 days. For the IOHS, no statistically significant differences could be observed. Conclusion: After the program, Individuals with subnormal vision, as compared to blind individuals, presented a more positive effect (GI and SOHI).

Keywords : Visually impaired persons.; Motivation.; Dental plaque.; Oral higiene..