Impact of educational (sign language/video modeling) and therapeutic (Glycyrrhiza glabra––liquorice mouth wash) interventions on oral health pertaining to children with hearing impairment: A randomized clinical trial
Abstract
Purpose
To compare the effect of educational (sign language and video modeling) and therapeutic intervention (liquorice) on oral hygiene status of children with hearing impairment (CHI).
Methods
Ninety-three CHI, in the age range of 5-15 years, were recruited in to the study. Children were assigned to two educational intervention groups: sign language and video modeling. Each group was again randomly divided into two: with one subgroup receiving therapeutic intervention using liquorice as a mouth wash and the other group receiving no intervention. For all children, baseline oral hygiene, gingival, and plaque index scores were recorded and oral prophylaxis was performed. Based on the subgroup to which the child was assigned, oral hygiene instructions were given on a weekly basis, whereas therapeutic intervention was performed twice daily for 28 days. Reassessment was done after the completion of interventions and after 3 months, followed by statistical analysis.
Results
There was a significant mean reduction in oral hygiene, gingival, and plaque scores in all the children. The educational intervention could not influence the scores recorded, but the therapeutic intervention with liquorice led to a reduction in all the oral health parameters during the follow-up periods.
Conclusion
Therapeutic intervention using liquorice as mouth wash along with educational intervention can be suggested in CHI.
