Dental hygienists often hesitate to intervene for patients who are permanently damaged from an accident because of little information about oral hygiene management for them. Here, we report a case of oral hygiene management for 8 years in a patient with blindness and bilateral forearm amputation because of severe extensive burns who showed positive outcomes in oral health.
A 48-year-old man who had blindness and had undergone bilateral forearm amputation with the Krukenberg procedure because of burns from an explosion was referred to our clinic for toothache in November 2010. As dental treatment was expected to be difficult because of cicatricial contracture, we prioritized intervention to manage and maintain oral hygiene.
For the initial periodontal treatment, we set the goal of our oral hygiene instructions that the patient could realize his oral condition and learn the pointed usage of an electric toothbrush. With our instructions, the patient showed positive behavior modification for self-care. After the reassessment, we provided supportive periodontal therapy and followed up the patient every 3-6 months.
In this case, the patient could understand the importance of self-care and practice through the intervention by dental hygienists. Effective follow-up for 8 years, provided by dental hygienists, contributed to positive outcomes in his oral health.
