Study of Oral Hygiene Device Use Among the Visually Impaired in a School for the Blind in Niger State

Persons with visual impairments face unique challenges in maintaining adequate oral hygiene, and studying their practices at a Nigerian school for the blind identifies specific support needs for adapted dental health education. This study examined oral hygiene device use and clinical oral health status among visually impaired students at School for the Blind Minna, Niger State, North Central Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 students aged 8 to 25 years. A structured interview (administered verbally due to visual impairment) collected data on toothbrushing frequency and technique, oral hygiene device type, dental visit history, and self-assessed oral health. Clinical examination assessed the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, DMFT, and gingival index. Results showed that 46.7 percent brushed once daily and 24.2 percent brushed less than once daily. Modified or adapted oral hygiene devices were used by only 12.5 percent. The mean OHI-S was 2.74, indicating fair hygiene. The mean DMFT was 2.15. Dental visits were rare, with 81.7 percent never having attended a dentist. Tactile dental health education had been received by only 18.3 percent. Students with totally acquired blindness showed worse oral hygiene scores than those with partial vision. Recommendations include adapted tactile oral health education programmes, provision of specially designed toothbrushes, regular school dental visits, and training of school caregivers in guiding oral hygiene for visually impaired students at this institution.

Keywords: visual impairment, oral hygiene, school for the blind, adapted dental education, Niger State