Mark Herald D. Binuya | Ma. Honey E. Cacas | Placido D. Corpuz III | Wyrlo P. Flores
Chrysanthus A. Llanes | Jan Mikyhelin C. Mañalac | Bernadette B. Sallidao
School of Dentistry
Dr. Maria Lourdes E. Cantor, Adviser
Abstract
The incidence of visual impairment is increasing due to systemic diseases, injury of the eye, inherited conditions, and infections, but little information is provided regarding dental health care and needs of the visually impaired children. These visually impaired children are more prone to higher incidence of dental caries and periodontal problems than those children who have vision. The purpose of this study was to teach and educate visually impaired children on proper oral hygiene techniques through voice memo and physical guidance to mitigate caries formation and periodontal problems, despite their visual shortcomings. The researchers conducted the pre-test by letting the children brush on their own and gathered the data using the O’Leary plaque score index. The children were taught with the use of voice memo and physical guidance by the staff of Northern Luzon Association for the Blind, Inc. After the intervention program, the researchers conducted the post-test by letting the children brush their teeth. The researchers conclude that there was an apparent significant difference between the pre-test and post-test. There was an improvement in the oral hygiene of the children. It shows that the use of voice memo and physical guidance is effective in improving the oral hygiene of visually impaired children.
Key words: O’Leary plaque score index, visually impaired, voice memo, physical guidance, pre-test, post-test
