Oral Health Status and Hygiene Practices Among Visually Impaired Adolescents From a School in Kenya

Abstract

Background Visual impairment afflicts a significant population globally. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health status and oral hygiene practices among visually impaired adolescents from a school in Kenya. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 159 adolescents aged 10–19 years attending the largest public primary boarding school for the blind in Kenya. A questionnaire was used to record participants’ social demographic variables and oral hygiene practices. Clinical examination was undertaken to assess oral health status which consisted of oral hygiene, gingival health, and dental caries. Results There were 69 (43.4%) and 90 (56.6%) participants in Category I and II visual impairment respectively, 85 (53.5%) were male and 74 (46.5%) were female. Study participants were divided into three age categories: 10–12 years (30.2%), 13–15 years (42.1%), and 16–19 years (27.7%), with an overall mean age of 13.9 ± 2.3. There was a statistically significant difference between visual impairment and age (p = 0.04). All participants brushed their teeth, majority (67.3%) brushed two or more times daily. Only 41.5% of the participants replaced their toothbrushes at 3 months. Sex and age influenced frequency of toothbrush replacement (p = 0.04). The average plaque score and gingival score index was 0.95 ± 0.45 and 0.28 ± 0.25 respectively, with gingivitis prevalence of 88.1%. Plaque score index had a statistically significant association with the gingival score index (p = 0.01). Overall dental caries prevalence was 44.7%, [42.1%)] permanent dentition and [8.2%] deciduous dentition. Mean DMFT was 0.44 ± 0.60 with a statistically significant association with age (p = 0.03), sex (p = 0.05) and visual impairment (p = 0.04). Mean dmft was 0.12 ± 0.32 with a statistically significant association with plaque score index (p = 0.04). Oral hygiene practices did not influence oral hygiene and dental caries status. However, a statistically significant association was reported between frequency of toothbrush replacement and gingival score index (p = 0.00). Conclusions The study reported general good oral hygiene, prevalent gingivitis (88.1%), and almost half of the study population affected by dental caries (44.7%). Most participants were unaware of using fluoridated toothpaste and of needing to change toothbrushes within 3 months. Frequency of toothbrush replacement was reported to influence gingival score index.