Post-study effects of a school-based plaque control programme
Ashley, F.P.; Sainsbury, R.H.
British Dental Journal 153(9): 337-338
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-0610 PMID: 6959646 Document Number: 184901
A total of 202 schoolgirls aged 15-16 yr were examined 1 yr after the completion of a 3-yr school-based plaque control program. During the 3-yr period, 109 of the girls had attended a hygienist every 2 wk during school terms for oral hygiene reinforcement and professional prophylaxis. At the end of the 3-yr period, girls in the experimental group showed a 54% reduction in plaque amount when compared with the control group (P < 0.001); 1 yr later the experimental group had 26% less plaque than the control group (P < 0.01). These results confirmed the effectiveness of the program in reducing the amount of plaque present during the study and indicated that the influence of the program on oral hygiene performance was still present 1 yr later. The results of this follow-up examination also indicated that the program had no delayed effect on caries experience.