Effect of Electric Toothbrush on Oral Hygiene in Nursing Home Residents- a Randomized Clinical Trial

Patients in nursing homes often have many natural teeth with exposed root surfaces, bifurcations, a complexity of dental restorations like partial prostheses, bridges/crowns, fillings and implants. In addition they have a limited physical ability, like reduced muscular strength, rigidness in the neck and spine. All these factors contribute to make it difficult, both for themselves and their nursing staff to maintain good oral hygiene.

Electrical toothbrushes have been proved effective in removal of dental plaque. There have also been reports from nursing homes that approves of electrical toothbrushes as a helpful aid among the nursing staff.

The present study examine if the overall oral hygiene actually improves with the use of electric toothbrush.

Material and method: The study is a randomized clinical trial (RCT) that includes patients from nursing homes in Oslo. The recording dentist is blind to the type of tooth brush Inclusion criteria.

• Patients living in nursing home in Oslo
• Provide written informed consent prior to enrolment (from relatives when patients were assessed by physician to be without ability to give written consent.