Abstract
Aim: Visually impaired children often face numerous challenges in their everyday lives, one of which includes maintaining proper oral hygiene. This study aims to assess the oral health status of visually impaired students.
Objectives:
To assess the oral hygiene status of visually impaired students.
To raise awareness about oral hygiene through tactile and model-based education.
To compare oral hygiene status before and after a 6-month education period.
Methodology: A 6-month comparative study was conducted on 160 visually impaired students, aged 12-18 years, who were trained in Braille. The study utilized the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index and the OHI-S (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index) for evaluation. The data was collected at the beginning and after 6 months, followed by statistical analysis using paired t-tests.
Results: After 6 months of using Braille-based education, a significant improvement in OHI-S scores was observed (from 2.623 to 0.875). However, no significant changes were noted in the DMFT scores. Additionally, parents reported improved oral hygiene practices in their children.
Conclusion: Oral hygiene practices in visually impaired students significantly improved after the implementation of Braille-based oral hygiene education.
Keywords: Braille; DMFT; OHI-S; oral hygiene practice; visually impaired
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