Abstract

RUVIERE, Denise Belucio et al. Toothbrushing in patients with neurological and/or motor disorders. Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.2, pp. 135-137. ISSN 1677-3888.

The purpose of this questionnaire-based study was to identify the characteristics and difficulties in undertaking toothbrushing in special needs patients with neurological and / or motor disorders. A questionnaire addressing aspects of the patients' oral homecare was applied to 40 caregivers of special needs patients aged 3-32 years who were undergoing dental treatment. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Mothers were most often reported as the person in charge of performing toothbrushing, which was usually performed three times a day at the bathroom sink. All respondents mentioned difficulties during toothbrushing, including the patients' inability to rinse the mouth and spit, their inability to open the mouth and keep it open during brushing, the presence of voluntary and involuntary movements, and vomiting reflexes. These difficulties reported by guardians further indicate that guardians need to be trained for performing oral hygiene in special care patients in order to improve the quality of life for these patients.

Keywords : Special Needs Patients; Guardians; Oral Health Care; Toothbrushing.