Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of the GumChucks Flossing System and String Floss for Plaque Removal in Mentally Disabled Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Trupti V Takle, Prashanth Yachrappa Vishwakarma, Arun S Dodamani, Shruti R Pundkar, Snehal V Thamke
Keywords :
Flossing, Gingival index, Mentally disabled children, Plaque index
Citation Information :
Takle TV, Vishwakarma PY, Dodamani AS, Pundkar SR, Thamke SV. Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of the GumChucks Flossing System and String Floss for Plaque Removal in Mentally Disabled Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024; 17 (3):255-259.
Background: Mentally disabled children have been found to have poor oral hygiene, a greater prevalence of periodontal disease, and higher caries prevalence. Flossing is an important oral hygiene skill adjacent to toothbrushing in plaque removal than brushing alone in children. GumChucks is a novel flossing device designed to assist children with easy and proper flossing techniques. To compare the efficacy of the GumChucks flossing system and string floss (SF) for plaque removal in mentally disabled children.
Materials and methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either GumChucks or SF. At baseline, a toothbrushing and flossing demonstration was given to all the participants. Gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were recorded at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks postusage.
Results: Overall, there was a significant reduction in GI and PI after first use with children using GumChucks compared to SF floss. After 1 week and 4 weeks of postusage, children in the GumChucks group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in GI (1.03 ± 0.60), (1.12 ± 0.66), and PI (0.97 ± 0.53), (1.10 ± 0.54) from baseline p ≤ 0.05.
Conclusion: GumChucks was an effective alternative plaque removal, with recommended caretakers’ supervision for mentally disabled children.
Kumar S, Sharma J, Duraiswamy P, et al. Determinants for oral hygiene and periodontal status among mentally disabled children and adolescents. J Indian Soc Pedod Prevent Dent 2009;27(3):151–157. DOI: 10.4103/0970-4388.57095
Solanki J, Khetan J, Gupta S, et al. Oral rehabilitation and management of mentally retarded. J Clin Diagn Res 2015;9(1):ZE01–ZE06. DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/11077.5415
Liu HY, Chen JR, Hsiao SY, et al. Caregivers’ oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward their children with disabilities. J Dent Sci 2017;12(4):388–389. DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2017.05.003
Bennadi D, Konekeri V, Maurya M, et al. Oral hygiene negligence among institutionalized mentally disabled children in Mysore city—a call for attention. J Family Med Prim Care 2020;9(4):2045–2051. DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_720_19
Lin J, Dinis M, Tseng CH, et al. Effectiveness of the GumChucks flossing system compared to string floss for interdental plaque removal in children: a randomized clinical trial. Sci Rep 2020;10(1):3052. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59705-w
Nicolaci AB, Tesini DA. Improvement in the oral hygiene of institutionalized mentally retarded individuals through training of direct care staff: a longitudinal study. Spec Care Dent 1982;2(5):217–221. DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1982.tb00059.x
Bhambal A, Jain M, Saxena S, et al. Oral health preventive protocol for mentally disabled subjects—a review. J Adv Oral Res 2011;2(1):21–26.
Shaw L, Maclaurin ET, Foster TD. Dental study of handicapped children attending special schools in Birmingham, UK. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1986;14(1):24–27. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1986.tb01488.x
Marchesan JT, Byrd KM, Moss K, et al. Flossing is associated with improved oral health in older adults. J Dent Res 2020;99(9):1047–1053. DOI: 10.1177/0022034520916151
Corby PM, Biesbrock A, Bartizek R, et al. Treatment outcomes of dental flossing in twins: molecular analysis of the interproximal microflora. J Periodontal 2008;79(8):1426–1433. DOI: 10.1902/jop.2008.070585
Kiran SD, Ghiya K, Makwani D, et al. Comparison of plaque removal efficacy of a novel flossing agent with the conventional floss: a clinical study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(6):474–478. DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1560
