Institutional caregivers’ predictors of oral hygiene frequency in adults with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the factors that influence the frequency of dental hygiene in adults with cerebral palsy, determine the caregivers’ difficulties in performing dental hygiene, and relate to their sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was applied to 257 caregivers from 27 institutions who participated voluntarily. Information on dental hygiene practices, sociodemographic characteristics, and caregivers’ difficulties in performing dental hygiene was obtained. Data were analyzed with SPSS® version 25 with a significance level of 5%. Nonparametric tests were used to define predictors of frequency and difficulties of brushing by caregivers and determine prevalence ratios and confidence intervals. Spearman’s correlation was used to study the relationship between variables. Results: Brushing was performed twice a day by 23.7% of caregivers and never by 21.8%. The caregivers with less training in dental hygiene performed brushing more frequently (OR=0.247; p=0.001). Brushing frequency was lower in the presence of bleeding, lack of cooperation by adults with cerebral palsy, and when caregivers had higher education and age. The following problems were relevant for the relationship between difficulty in performing brushing and frequency: “pulling the head away” (p<0.001) and “not opening the mouth” (p=0.005). Conclusions: The predictors influencing dental hygiene frequency were younger age and a higher education level of caregivers. The lack of collaboration, as well as “pulling the head away,” by people with cerebral palsy increases the difficulty of performing oral hygiene.