Effectiveness of oral hygiene educational interventional programs on participants with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled study

Quintessence Int. 2023 May 19;54(5):428-437. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b3840763.

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to evaluate oral health-related knowledge, and to compare the effectiveness of three different oral health education interventions (OHEI) on plaque removal in a cohort with Parkinson disease.

Method and materials: The three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial included 63 Parkinson disease stage 1 and 2 patients aged ≥ 40 years and scores ≥ 26 in both Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and Mini-Mental State Exam. These patients were allocated to three OHEI groups: lectures, presentation, and demonstration. The validated questionnaire assessed knowledge level at baseline (0), 1, 2, and 3 months. Oral hygiene at 0 and 3 months was assessed by the Plaque Index and the Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHPI). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected to assess the salivary flow rate.

Results: Pairwise comparison using ANOVA showed a significant decrease in mean percentage knowledge 0, 1, 2, and 3 months in all three groups (P < .001). After Tukey post-hoc analysis the presentation group had significantly higher knowledge (P = .030). ANOVA showed that the percentage of knowledge decreased as time passed (P = .001). Comparison of means of Plaque Index and PHPI scores by MANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc analysis showed significant decrease in Plaque Index scores from 0 to 3 months (P = .001). No significant change in the salivary flow rate was noted.

Conclusion: Pictorial representation of OHEI is a better mode of intervention compared to lectures and demonstrations in Parkinson disease stage 1 and 2 patients. Despite the decline in knowledge with time, Plaque Index scores reduced significantly, implying that this form OHEI offers positive benefits.

Keywords: Parkinson disease; cohort; intervention; knowledge; oral hygiene; salivary rate.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Dental Care
  • Dental Plaque Index
  • Dental Plaque*
  • Humans
  • Oral Hygiene / education
  • Parkinson Disease*