Investigating different oral hygiene education techniques in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common behavioural disorders of childhood. There is few published reports in the dental literature have focused on ADHD and its dental implications and also oral hygiene habits. The study was conducted to determine oral hygiene and plaque scores of children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was compared with healthy children by using oral hygiene education techniques with or without self-educational manuals.Subjects and Methods: A total of 50 children, including 25 ADHD and 25 non-ADHD children were included in the study. They were divided into two sub-groups that included different oral hygiene programs. For the first sub-group only recommendations about oral hygiene practices were made, for the second sub-group recommendations were supported with self-educational manuals. The subjects were then examined at the end of 1 week, 1 month and 3 months.Results: This study demonstrated that Plaque Index scores evaluated for different evaluation periods; a statistically significant decrease was found for the test groups for both ADHD and non-ADHD but Gingival Index values were reached to the baseline averages in all groups from baseline to the third month.Conclusions: These results showed that approaches like as supporting materials, encourages the maintenance of long-term acquisition of oral hygiene habits. But further studies are necessary that performed in ADHD children.