Plaque Removal Efficiency in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities

NCT07611942 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ALKU-PEDO-2025-10/1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of toothbrushing education on plaque removal in children aged 7-12 years with specific learning disabilities (SLD) and to compare their plaque removal performance with healthy children. Participants will receive standardized toothbrushing education supported by visual and auditory materials. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and photograph-based quantitative plaque analyses will be evaluated at baseline and after a 2-week follow-up period.

Conditions

Specific Learning Disabilities; Dental Plaque; Oral Hygiene

Keywords

Specific Learning Disabilities; Dental Plaque; Plaque Removal; Quantitative Plaque Analysis; Toothbrushing Education; ImageJ/FIJI; Pediatric Dentistry

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in plaque percentage (P%) measured using ImageJ/FIJI analysis

  Quantitative plaque percentage changes will be evaluated using disclosed plaque areas obtained from intraoral photographs before and after toothbrushing procedures.

  Baseline and 2 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Plaque Index (Silness and Löe Plaque Index) Scores

  Baseline and 2 weeks

• Change in Gingival Index (Löe and Silness Gingival Index) Scores

  Baseline and 2 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Children With Specific Learning Disabilities

EXPERIMENTAL

Children with specific learning disabilities receiving standardized toothbrushing education.

Behavioral: Standardized Toothbrushing Education

Healthy Control Children

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Healthy children receiving standardized toothbrushing education.

Behavioral: Standardized Toothbrushing Education

Interventions

Standardized Toothbrushing Education BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive standardized toothbrushing education supported by visual educational cards and educational videos based on the Modified Bass toothbrushing technique. The education program will include step-by-step practical instruction, mirror-assisted self-modeling, and parental involvement. Standardized toothbrushes and toothpaste will be provided to all participants. Plaque removal effectiveness will be evaluated using plaque-disclosing agents, intraoral photographs obtained before and after toothbrushing, and quantitative plaque analysis performed with ImageJ/FIJI software.

Children With Specific Learning Disabilities; Healthy Control Children

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of specific learning disabilities confirmed by a child and adolescent psychiatry specialist for the study group
• Confirmation by a child and adolescent psychiatry specialist that the control group participants are healthy and do not have any psychiatric diagnosis
• Age between 7 and 12 years
• Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians

You may not qualify if:

• Children with additional psychiatric diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or intellectual disability
• Children with systemic health problems or physical disabilities that may interfere with participation in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Dentistry

Alanya, Antalya, 07400, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dental Plaque

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dental Deposits; Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

gül keskin, Associate Professor, DDS, PhD

CONTACT

+905444468857; gul.keskin@alanya.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessor performing the quantitative plaque analysis will be blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, DDS, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 21, 2026
• First Posted: May 28, 2026
• Study Start: June 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)