ArticleEuropean archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry2026
Comparison of caregiver-performed toothbrushing with triple- and single-headed toothbrushes in preschool children with developmental disabilities: a randomized crossover study.
Article in European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
purposeTo evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of a triple-headed versus a single-headed toothbrushes in preschool children with developmental disabilities (DD) through caregiver-performed toothbrushing, and to assess caregiver satisfaction with the triple-headed toothbrush.
methodsThis single-blind randomized crossover study included 24 pairs of preschool children aged 4-6 years with DD and their caregivers. Demographic characteristics, prebrushing plaque index, and decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) scores were collected. Caregivers received toothbrushing instruction via a video clip according to the randomly assigned toothbrush sequence. They were then asked to brush their child's teeth, after which the immediate post-brushing plaque index and toothbrushing duration were recorded. Following a 4-week washout period, participants crossed over to the alternate toothbrush, and all procedures were repeated. At the end of the study, caregivers completed a satisfaction questionnaire regarding the triple-headed toothbrush. Demographic data were compared using Fisher's exact test. Paired t tests were used to compare outcomes between toothbrush types. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
resultsThe triple-headed toothbrush achieved significantly greater plaque reduction than the single-headed toothbrush, particularly on the palatal surfaces of the upper anterior and posterior teeth and the lingual surfaces of the lower posterior teeth (P < 0.05). Brushing time was also significantly shorter with the triple-headed toothbrush. Most caregivers reported high satisfaction with the triple-headed toothbrush, although a few expressed concerns regarding the brush head size and bristle softness.
conclusionThe triple-headed toothbrush showed superior plaque removal efficacy and reduced brushing time compared to the single-headed toothbrush in preschool children with DD. Caregivers also reported positive experiences using the triple-headed toothbrush. Therefore, it may be an effective oral hygiene aid for improving plaque control in this population.
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