Table 1.
Therapists’ record of immediate oral health treatment for the orthodontic patient (n = 95)
| Treatment option | n | % |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive oral examination | 28 | 27.5 |
| Bitewing radiographs | 15 | 15.8 |
| Intra-oral photographs | 6 | 6.3 |
| Plaque Index (PI) or Periodontal Screening Record (PSR) | 7 | 7.4 |
| Plaque disclosing | 67 | 70.5 |
| Oral hygiene, including tongue cleaning instruction | 93 | 98.0 |
| Use of a hand mirror as oral hygiene instruction patient-learning tool | 78 | 82.2 |
| Use Motivational Interviewing (coaching technique) for TJ (and parent) | 84 | 88.4 |
| Dietary advice | 57 | 60.0 |
| Super Floss and Piksters | 60 | 63.1 |
| Professional cleaning (plaque and calculus removal) | 65 | 68.4 |
| Topical fluoride applications (varnish and gels) | 45 | 47.3 |
| Fluoride toothpaste (Colgate Total antibacterial, 1,450 ppm F) | 76 | 80.0 |
| Recommend use of Neutra Fluor 5000 (5,000 ppm F) | 24 | 25.3 |
| Recommend use of mouth rinse (chlorhexidine, antibacterial agents, saline rinses and Neutra Fluor 900 ppm F) | 23 | 24.2 |
| Recommend use of Tooth Mousse plus fluoride (CPP-ACPF) | 32 | 33.7 |
| Fissure sealants | 17 | 17.9 |
| Issue oral health products and relevant brochures | 15 | 15.8 |
| Seek medical practitioner advice (if oral health practices improve and halitosis persists as it may be caused by other underlying health issues) | 25 | 26.3 |
CPP-ACPF, casein phosphopeptide amorphous phosphates plus fluoride.