For an additional assignment based off of the final project in the course Introduction to Dental Hygiene Theory, when each student was assigned a patient from a case study book; we were also tasked with choosing a toothbrush and toothbrushing method for the patient. This selection was based off of the assessment data that the book provided and the treatment plan we created for their individualized needs.

1. MAYA PATEL:
TOOTHBRUSHING
TECHNIQUE
BY: KAYLA ROBINSON

2. PATIENT HISTORY
• Age: 9 years old
• Gender: Female
• Height: 4’ 5”
• Weight: 70 lbs.

3. VITAL SIGNS
• Blood Pressure: 100/60 mm Hg
• Pulse Rate: 110 bpm
• Respirations: 20 rpm
** Pulse is high, normal range for children is 70-100 bpm

4. MEDICAL HISTORY
• Maya is under the care of a physician for her asthma
• Has had several emergency room visits for difficulty breathing,
but she has not been hospitalized in the last 5 years.
• Her current medications are:
• Montelukast sodium (Singulair®)- leukotriene receptor
• Antagonist albuterol (Proventil HFA®)- bronchodilator inhaler
**Medications cause xerostomia, sore throat, taste changes, and increased
anxiety. Inhaler needs to be out and ready for use at all times during
appointment.

5. DENTAL HISTORY
• Maya keeps on track with her 6 month recall appointments for
oral prophylaxis, where she receives professionally applied
fluoride treatments
• Uses a fluoride toothpaste on a regular basis
• Impressions for study cast have been indicated to evaluate
occlusion
• Exaggerated gag reflex and mouth breathing

6. CURRENT ORAL HYGIENE STATUS
• Generalized marginal plaque with slight bleeding on probing
• Slight supragingival calculus lingual surfaces of the mandibular
anterior teeth
• Slight generalized brown stain
• Flosses occasionally
• Probing Depths: Range from 1-3 mm

7. ORAL EXAMINATION FINDINGS
• Slight tongue thrust
• Slight gingival sensitivity distal to the mandibular left
permanent canine
• Maxillary left primary first molar is mobile

10. WHICH TOOTHBRUSH FOR
MAYA??
MANUAL OR POWER?

11. POWER BRUSH
• Oral-B Pro Health Vitality Power Toothbrush
• Reasoning includes:
• It has a distinct shape that will allow the brush head to
surround each tooth individually.
• Can be used with app by Oral-B to insure an efficient two
minute brush. The app can also create a fun and engaging
learning environment for Maya.
• A soft bristle head can be paired with the brush to
accommodate her mobile tooth, as well as upcoming mobile
teeth, and sensitive gums.

12. BRUSH HEAD
• Inform Maya that each brush head needs to be replaced
every 3 months.
• The soft bristles are designed with different angles to
ensure the best coverage and cleaning of the mouth
possible.

13. METHOD OF BRUSHING
• Tooth-to-tooth movement with oscillating motion of the
brush head, this is recommended by Oral-B
(manufacturer of the power brush).
• When the head is applied to the tooth it flares out
reaching underneath the gingiva, into the interproximal
spaces, and the entire tooth surface.
• The app will guide her to brush a quadrant at a time,
alert her if she is applying too much pressure, and if she
has missed any areas.

14. AT HOME ORAL INSTRUCTIONS
• I will tell Maya…
• How the tooth brush works and show a video from the Oral-B
website to make sure she completely understands the process.
If there is an available power brush in the clinic I will
demonstrate the process on a model and then test her on the
motions, to ensure best cleaning possible.
• I would tell her the importance of flossing everyday and make
sure she is doing it correctly, buy see-sawing into the contacts
and then using an up & down motion under the gingiva on
each tooth surface, by hugging each tooth surface on each
side.

15. RESOURCES
• Thomson, E. M. (2013). Case studies in dental hygiene. Boston:
Pearson.
• Wilkins, E. M., Wyche, C. J., & Boyd, L. D. (2017). Clinical
practice of the dental hygienist. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
• Proctor and Gamble. (2018). Retrieved from
https://oralb.com/en-us