Oral Health-related Quality of Life and Oral Hygiene of Children and Adolescents with Hearing Impairment

As dental plaque (biofilm) is the main etiological factor for the development of dental caries and gingivitis, it is important to remove plaque regularly. The severity of gingivitis depends on tooth brushing frequency, 11 dental caries, 12 and diet. Toothbrushing is a simple and effective method to disrupt plaque and reduce microorganisms. Children with sensory deficits may have limitations in understanding and practicing proper brushing. Teaching these children proper tooth brushing and monitoring them in school can prevent the onset of gingivitis. easuring oral health-related quality of life can be useful in the determination of dental treatment needs of individuals at risk. Children with hearing disorders are reported to have more oral diseases. Educating these individuals and their caregivers can make them aware of the relationship between oral health and general well-being. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to determine the effect of dental education and motivation on OHRQoL and oral hygiene in children and adolescents with hearing impairment.