A practice based study of a children's power toothbrush: efficacy and acceptance.

Power toothbrushes can offer significant advantages over a manual toothbrush both with respect to plaque removal and compliance. Most studies have, however, been carried out with adult toothbrushes in adult populations. Less is known about the efficacy of children's power toothbrushes, although it is likely that similar advantages will be demonstrated. This practice based study used the Debris Index (DI) component of the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index to compare baseline oral hygiene with results after 2 months of using the Braun Oral-B Kids' Power Toothbrush (D10). The study involved 13 dental offices and a total of 154 children aged 4 to 9 years. For all sites (facial and lingual), using the D10 for 2 months resulted in an approximately 40% reduction in the DI. Questionnaires completed by the parents or guardians, the children, and the dentists indicated a very favorable response to the power toothbrush. Both parents and children preferred the D10 to a manual toothbrush and most said they would continue to use it. The fact that children found the D10 fun to use may well aid compliance. Dentists thought that the D10 was effective and, at the end of the study, most said that they would now recommend a power toothbrush. It is concluded from the results of this practice based study that the D10 can help to reduce plaque levels in a population of children who previously relied on a manual toothbrush. The fact that the D10 is appealing to children and fun to use should aid compliance with long-term oral hygiene.

A practice based evaluation of a range of children's manual toothbrushes: safety and acceptance.

Toothbrushes for children have not suited all age groups. The development of a series of children's toothbrushes (Oral-B Stages toothbrushes) targeted at four age-defined groups and designed to meet their needs offers the potential to enhance oral hygiene. To obtain information regarding the specific likes and dislikes of these four children's toothbrushes, a randomized, practice based study involving children between the ages of 4 months and 11 years was conducted. Children were recruited from 25 pediatric dental practices located in the United States, Australia, and Europe. After 1 month of using the brushes, questionnaires were completed by the parents or guardians, children, and dental professionals. Eighty percent to 90% of respondents "liked" or "liked extremely" the toothbrushes with respect to overall like or dislike, cleaning ability, ease of use, and gentleness. Ninety-five percent of the dental professionals in the study concluded that they would recommend these toothbrushes to their patients and 90% thought that the toothbrushes would improve their patients' oral health. It was concluded that the four children's toothbrushes are safe and effective. The design of the brush heads should enhance plaque removal while the ergonomic design of the handles will aid dexterity.