An important aspect in dental care is the psychological effect assisted brushing has on the caregiver as well as the patient. The oral hygiene of the people caregivers help may become neglected if they are feeling overwhelmed by balancing their many duties, patients, and own self-care. Brushing another person’s teeth is a difficult procedure that requires appropriately designed cleaning aids and training on the complex positional requirements needed to maintain a proper technique.

As a result of not having proper tools or training, toothbrushing becomes a very unrewarding daily chore for caregivers.

Inducing negative feedback from the patient, like gagging, can discourage the caregiver and cause them to feel as though their efforts are not only unappreciated but totally ineffective.

If caregivers were given the proper tool to work with and reasonably doable instructions, they would approach this task with less trepidation and their anxiety would not be transferred to the defenseless person needing aid with daily oral infection control.

In short, if caregivers are given a realistic regimen to follow and they feel as though a good job has been done, their confidence will be felt by the patient and a positive psychological environment will prevail.