Importance of effective oral hygiene

Question 1

Give reasons why oral hygiene is performed

Answer 1

• Remove dental plaque from surfaces of teeth and gums: Prevent, treat and arrest progression of perio disease and caries.
• Social reasons: grooming, fresh breath, attractiveness

Question 2

How do we assess plaque in our patient?

Answer 2

Plaque disclosing - use O’Leary plaque control record

Question 3

What percentage of adults in the Oral Health Survey in General Dental Practice was found to have bleeding on probing? (2018)

Answer 3

53%

Question 4

Outline 6 key points when giving oral hygiene advice

Answer 4

• Needs dedicated time
• Clear, concise and consistent messaging in alignment with current best practice
• Correct misconceptions without criticising
• Observe a patient’s current technique on themselves with their own aids. Show revised technique in patient’s mouth and ask patient to demonstrate
• Emphasise positive messages of improved oral hygiene - better mouth freshness/fitness/health
• Guide your patient rather than direct - try to work with the patient to develop solutions

Question 5

What is the most important part of periodontal treatment?

Answer 5

Giving oral hygiene advice

Question 6

What outcomes would you like to achieve by providing your patient with oral hygiene advice? (3)

Answer 6

• Elicit patient’s own motivation to change
• Providing tailored programme - overcome barriers
• Promote self-efficacy and planning - ask the patient what they are going to do until the next time

Question 7

Outline the GPS model of giving oral hygiene advice

Answer 7

GOAL SETTING AND PLANNING:
(SMART) Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-orientated.

SELF-MONITORING:
Use of diary, rewards