Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1843/54225
Type: Artigo de Periódico
Title: Assistive technologies for improving the oral hygiene of leprosy patients residing in a former leprosy colony in Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Raquel Conceição Ferreira
Marco Tulio de Freitas Ribeiro
Fabiana Vargas Ferreira
Aline Araujo Sampaio
Ana Cristina Marinho Pereira
Andrea Maria Duarte Vargas
Rafaella Mendes de Jesus
Efigênia Ferreira e Ferreira
Abstract: Background This study deals with management of a group of elderly patients with a history of leprosy and hand deformities by a multidisciplinary team of dentists and occupational therapists. Assistive technology devices have been developed to allow such patients to obtain independence in oral self-care and can be a cost-effective approach to improving oral care in this population. The objective of this study was to describe the development of assistive devices to facilitate daily oral hygiene in older people with enduring leprosy-related impairments. Methodology Case study realized among elders with a history of leprosy residents in a former isolation colony in Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The elders were evaluated for dependence on others for denture hygiene and mouthwash using the Daily Oral Hygiene Activity Index (ADOH). Those deemed partially or completely dependent on others were eligible for an intervention based on assistive technology. We adopted a personalized approach to each case, taking into account medical history, physical impairment and living environment. Six months after the intervention, the participants were assessed again using the ADOH and an unstructured interview about use of the devices. Principal findings Assistive devices for denture hygiene and mouthwash were developed for 16 elders. These devices facilitated oral hygiene in most patients and there was no worsening in any of the cases. Patients’ report suggested they were satisfied with the devices provided. Conclusions This study demonstrated that assistive devices can facilitate oral hygiene activities in leprosy patients. It also reinforces the importance of using a multidisciplinary team for the rehabilitation of these patients.
Subject: Oral hygiene
Leprosy
language: eng
metadata.dc.publisher.country: Brasil
Publisher: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Publisher Initials: UFMG
metadata.dc.publisher.department: FAO - DEPARTAMENTO DE ODONTOLOGIA SOCIAL E PREVENTIVA
FAO - FACULDADE DE ODONTOLOGIA
Rights: Acesso Aberto
metadata.dc.identifier.doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200503
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1843/54225
Issue Date: 25-Jul-2018
metadata.dc.url.externa: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200503
metadata.dc.relation.ispartof: Plos One
Appears in Collections:Artigo de Periódico



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