Effectiveness of various sensory input methods in dental health education among visually impaired children of age group between 3-14 years- A comparative study

• Author Details:   
• Arnab Chandra Goswami
• Singh Sanaya Mithelesh ^*
• Jasmine Nanda
• Rachita Mehlawat

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Introduction: Oral health education is essential for all, but it poses unique challenges for visually impaired children who rely on senses other than sight to learn. Customizing educational methods using sensory inputs like touch and sound can significantly enhance their understanding and practice of oral hygiene. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various sensory input methods in improving oral health awareness among visually impaired children.

Aim & Objectives: The objective of the research is to assess the success of different sensory input techniques in oral training program for visually impaired child. The dental health condition was evaluated by measuring plaque scores both prior to and following the oral health education.

Materials and Methods: The research included 50 child with low vision aged between 3 and 14 years, representing both genders, from a single institution for the blind. The overall study population (n=50) was randomized and separated into two groups, each consisting of 25 children.

Results: Following the intervention, the average scores exhibited statistical significance in both study groups when contrasted with the baseline scores.

Conclusion: The research indicates that visually impaired children can achieve a satisfactory level of oral hygiene when instructed using specialized, tailored methods such as a multisensory approach, which has proven to be more effective than a unisensory method.

Keywords: Health education, Oral Health, Oral hygiene