Good Oral Health Contributes to Good Total Health: The Role of the Diabetes Educator

Effect of Mozart's music on the learning of toothbrushing behavior in children with high and low dental anxiety levels

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Mozart's music on the learning of toothbrushing behavior in children with high and low dental anxiety levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, and observational study was conducted with 60 children, aged 8-12, who were recruited to high dental anxiety level (HDAL) and low dental anxiety level (LDAL) groups. Both groups were divided into two equal subgroups (with or without Mozart's music). In the Mozart's music subgroups, children were exposed to Mozart's Sonata for 7 min and toothbrushing training was given accompanied by music. The training was instructed to the second subgroup without listening to Mozart's music. The periodontal measurements were repeated after 15 days. Three-factor variance analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant decrease in plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) scores in the follow-up visits for all groups (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease was found in PI values between groups with or without music in those with HDAL (p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant differences were found between groups with or without music in those with LDAL (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Listening to Mozart's music before toothbrushing training had a significant effect on plaque removal in children with high dental anxiety, while Mozart's music did not have a positive effect in the group with low dental anxiety.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The use of Mozart's music may be beneficial in oral hygiene education for children with high dental anxiety levels.

Knowledge and practices of diabetes care providers in oral health care and their potential role in oral health promotion: A scoping review

AIM

Oral health complications are common in people with diabetes yet very little is reported about the oral health care provided in diabetes care setting. This study reviewed global evidence on the oral health care knowledge and practices of diabetes care providers and the role of non-dental health professionals in oral health promotion.

METHODS

A systematic search of five databases was undertaken with key search terms using a scoping review framework. Relevant studies published till October 2016 in the English language were included (n=30) and no restrictions were placed on the study design, quality or setting.

RESULTS

Most diabetes care providers are not addressing oral health care with the main barriers being time constraints and limited oral health knowledge. Diabetes educators (DEs) could engage in oral health promotion with few studies showing this model of care can translate into improved patient outcomes. However, no appropriate oral health training programs and assessment tools exist for DEs. With proper training, non-dental professionals like nurses have successfully incorporated oral healthcare in other settings.

CONCLUSIONS

DEs are well placed to promote oral health in diabetes care setting. Further research is needed to identify barriers and oral health resources to support DEs in this role.

Quantitative evaluation of toothbrush and arm-joint motion during tooth brushing

OBJECTIVES

It is very difficult for dental professionals to objectively assess tooth brushing skill of patients, because an obvious index to assess the brushing motion of patients has not been established. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate toothbrush and arm-joint motion during tooth brushing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tooth brushing motion, performed by dental hygienists for 15 s, was captured using a motion-capture system that continuously calculates the three-dimensional coordinates of object's motion relative to the floor. The dental hygienists performed the tooth brushing on the buccal and palatal sides of their right and left upper molars. The frequencies and power spectra of toothbrush motion and joint angles of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were calculated and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

The frequency of toothbrush motion was higher on the left side (both buccal and palatal areas) than on the right side. There were no significant differences among joint angle frequencies within each brushing area. The inter- and intra-individual variations of the power spectrum of the elbow flexion angle when brushing were smaller than for any of the other angles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study quantitatively confirmed that dental hygienists have individual distinctive rhythms during tooth brushing. All arm joints moved synchronously during brushing, and tooth brushing motion was controlled by coordinated movement of the joints. The elbow generated an individual's frequency through a stabilizing movement.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The shoulder and wrist control the hand motion, and the elbow generates the cyclic rhythm during tooth brushing.