EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE CONTAINING VARNISH ON STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS AND LA!,TOBACILLI COUNT IN DENTAL PLAQUE AMONG A GROUP OF VISUALLY HANDICAPPED •. INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

This work was carried oul d'> a double-blind study in EI-Nour Institute for visually handicapped students in order to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine cnntammg varnish on the bacterial count of Strept. mutans and Lactobacilh in ' dental plaque among a group of them, and to study the relationship of

chlorhextdine to dental caries intensity

The study sample consisted of thirty institutionalized visually handicapped students, from both sexes, aged from 13-20 years old, they were randomly selected and assigned into the two groups of the study ( test or control). The test group (15 individuals) received chlorhexidine varnish and the control group ( 15 imlivitluals) received placebo varnish.

The vnrnish was applied three times within 14 days and this was repeated • every three months for four times. Plaque samples were taken before the • varnish application to determine the mean base line coum of Srrept. mutans and Lactobacj\li. Then plaque samples were taken after the varnish application to determine the effect of ehlorhexidinc varmsb on the bacterial count ofStrept.

rnutans and Lactcbacilll. Carles cxaminauon was performed at base hne before the varnish application and after 6, 12 and 18 months respectively to determine the relationship of chlorhexidine to dental caries intensity

From this work, we could found that the mean number of Strept mutans was significantly decreased in the test group m comparison with the control group upto three months after the varnish application Also, a significant reduction in the mean count nf Lactobactlh was seen only dmmg the pcnod of apphceuons and thcr c was no carry over effec; of the antibactcr ral activity into