Pengaruh Menyikat Gigi Menggunakan Sikat Gigi Khusus Berbahan Putty terhadap Penurunan Skor Plak Gigi pada Penderita Sindroma Down di SLB-C Karya Tulus Kabupaten Deli Serdang

Abstract

Patients with Down Syndrome have higher plaque scores than healthy children because of the motor limitations, thus they require special grip adaption in toothbrushes to improve their self-care independently. Grip adaptation using putty is chosen because of the quick manufacturing process, affordability, long-lasting, accessibility, and does not require professional help, thus the process can be performed by the caregiver sustainably. This research aims to analyze the effect of brushing teeth using a putty handle toothbrush in reducing plaque score of Down Syndrome patients with TMQHPI index in SLB-C Karya Tulus Kabupaten Deli Serdang. The experimental design is quasi-experimental and the sample is 30 Down Syndrome patients categorized into two subgroups, 15 samples as the effect group using putty handle toothbrushes and 15 more as the control group using conventional toothbrushes. Plaque in this design is scored using Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPI). Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a significant effect and was proven by the decrease of average plaque scores for both groups compared with baseline to post-test (day 7, 14, and 21) as p < 0,05. The decrease of the effect group compared baseline (3,86 ± 0,52) to day 7, 14, and 21 was 1,53 ± 0,62; 0,94 ± 0,54; and 0,64 ± 0,35, however the control group with conventional toothbrush compared with baseline (3,66 ± 0,46) to day 7, 14, and 21 was 1,90 ± 0,56; 1,35 ± 0,32; and 0,89 ± 0,24. In conclusion, brushing teeth using a putty handle toothbrush reduces plaque score of Down Syndrome patients in SLB-C Karya Tulus Kabupaten Deli Serdang.