Guia prático de higiene bucal para pessoas com deficiência visual

Abstract

The Saúde Bucal na Palma da Mão (Oral Health in the Palm of Your Hand) e-book series was developed to provide accessible, inclusive, and socially relevant knowledge on oral health. This edition presents the Practical Guide to Oral Hygiene for People with Visual Impairment, an educational resource specifically designed for people with visual impairment, their families, caregivers of children and adolescents with visual impairment, and the general public. The guide aims to promote self-care, autonomy, and the reduction of inequalities in access to oral-health information. The material addresses, in a didactic manner and grounded in scientific evidence, the importance of oral hygiene for the prevention of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and other conditions that directly affect general health, well-being, and quality of life. Content is presented in simple, clear, inclusive, and welcoming language, offering practical guidance for daily care, including flossing, toothbrushing, selection of toothbrushes and toothpaste, appropriate amounts of toothpaste for different age groups, tongue cleaning, and recommended brushing time. To ensure full inclusion, this edition was developed with enlarged font to facilitate reading by people with low vision, adequate contrast between text and background in accordance with visual accessibility recommendations, compatibility with screen readers to enable access for people with total blindness on digital devices, and a simple navigation structure that allows sequential reading or topic-based consultation. The guide provides adapted step-by-step instructions for toothbrushing for children up to 6 years of age, children over 6 years of age, and adults, as well as specific guidance on the use of conventional dental floss and floss holders, reinforcing the importance of individualized care. This guide was produced by the Incluir_Odonto project within the scope of the Professional Master’s Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (MPO-UFRJ), in partnership with the Benjamin Constant Institute (IBC). By recognizing that oral health directly influences general health and quality of life, the guide serves as an invitation to inclusion, self-care, and autonomy, respecting individual uniqueness and encouraging ongoing dialogue with dental professionals.