Toothbrushing Systematics Index (TSI) - A new tool for quantifying systematics in toothbrushing behaviour.

ABSTRACT: Systematics is considered important for effective toothbrushing. A theoretical concept of systematics in toothbrushing and a validated index to quantify it using observational data is suggested. The index consists of three components: completeness (all areas of the dentition reached), isochronicity (all areas brushed equally long) and consistency (avoiding frequent alternations between areas). Toothbrushing should take a sufficient length of time; therefore, this parameter is part of the index value calculation. Quantitative data from video observations were used including the number of changes between areas, number of areas reached, absolute brushing time and brushing time per area. These data were fed into two algorithms that converted the behaviour into two index values (each with value

SUBMITTER: Schlueter N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5927438 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature