Abstract

Aim: To prove the effectiveness of a periodontal health program based on oral hygiene techniques and chlorhexydine for gingivitis treatment in adults with Down Syndrome living in Viña del Mar. Design of the study: A controlled randomized clinical trial. Material and method: Four institutions were randomly selected. Two of them were selected at random as an experimental group and two as control gropus, resulting in 43 sample individuals. Oral hygiene instructions were given to represetnatives of each adult with down syndrome and institution personnel that belong to the experimental group. O'Leary biofilm index and Ainamo and Bay bleeding index were measured prior and post intervention, and then compared. In addition, indexes were related to each other and were associated to the type of institution, average family monthly income and educational level of representatives. Stadistical methodology: Results were analyzed by means os Student test (t), square chi, ANOVA and Pearson correlation (r), p <0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The periodontal health program resulted effective for the treatment of gingivitis in adults with down syndrome. O'Leary biofilm index and Ainamo and Bay bleeding index decreased significantly (p =0,0001); a positive co-relationship between indexes was observed. Conclusion: The program of periodontal health based on oral hygiene techniques and chlorhexydine, was effective for gingivitis treatment in adults with down syndrome.