USE OF MISWAK VERSES CONVENTIONAL TOOTH BRUSHING WITH TOOTHPASTE AND THEIR EFFECT ON PLAQUE REMOVAL, A COMPARATIVE CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY CONDUCTED IN OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY SAKAKA, AL JOUF.

Dr. Nighat Z. Jalbani*, Nawaf Saleh Alanazi, Mazen Minwar S. Alsolami and Sultan Abdalaziz Z Alanzei

ABSTRACT

Objective: The main objective of this study is to fortify the current available pool of research on use of miswak and to evaluate its effect on plaque removal so role of miswak efficiency can be recognized and appraised equal to tooth brushing worldwide. Methodology: Using cross-sectional descriptive study design, 100 self-administered validated forms were filled by adult patients coming to screening department visiting OPD of college of dentistry. Patients were then examined for plaque scores Loe and Silnees plaque index (1964). The collected data was statistically analyzed using SPSS (version 20, Chicago.inc). One way anova with Tukey‟s HSD test is used to compare plaque scores and t-test for bivariate variables. Pilot study was conducted using 10 questionnaires which were pretested to ensure check the feasibility of variables applied and modifications were done accordingly. Results: Plaque scores for toothbrush users are significantly lower than miswak users with p-value 0.002. Conclusion: The effectiveness of toothbrush in removing plaque is more significant as compare to miswak.

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