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ABSTRACT
Background: Children and adolescents with Down syndrome face challenges in maintaining good oral hygiene routines due to motor and cognitive limitations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of personalized oral hygiene tools and innovative approaches, focusing on custom-designed toothbrushes, to improve oral health outcomes for this population. Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted in compliance with PRISMA-ScR criteria.
Keywords related to oral hygiene,toothbrushes, and Down syndrome were used to search 6 databases. Articles on toothbrushing and oral hygiene interventions for children and adolescents with Down syndrome published between 2019 and 2023 were included in the review.
Results: The search retrieved 233 studies; 28 duplicates were removed, leaving 205 entries. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria,
198 records were eliminated based on title and abstract screening, leaving 7 publications for further screening and, ultimately, 4 for review. These
4 studies evaluated a range of therapies, including special needs toothbrushes, toothbrushes with adapted grips, and innovations such as the "Digital Brush." Discussion: Customized oral hygiene tools were found to enhance plaque control and gum health in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. The findings emphasize the importance of a flexible and diverse approach to oral hygiene programs, advocating for ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration among parents, nurses, and oral health professionals. Conclusions: Personalized oral hygiene tools, such as toothbrushes with adjusted handles, significantly improve plaque control and gum health in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. The study highlights the necessity of a varied approach in oral hygiene programs and calls for further research to quantify these benefits.
RÉSUMÉ
Contexte : Les enfants et les adolescents présentant le syndrome de Down ont des diffcultés à maintenir une bonne hygiène buccodentaire en raison de limitations motrices et cognitives. Cette étude évalue l'effcacité des outils d'hygiène buccodentaire personnalisés et des approches innovantes, en se concentrant sur les brosses à dents conçues sur mesure, afn d'améliorer les résultats en matière de santé buccodentaire de cette population. Méthodes : Une étude exhaustive a été réalisée conformément aux critères de PRISMA-ScR. Une recherche a été effectuée dans 6 bases de données à l'aide de mots clés liés à l'hygiène buccale, aux brosses à dents et au syndrome de Down. On a examiné les articles sur le brossage des dents et les interventions...