Objective: To investigate the effect of two methods of propolis administration on plaque accumulation and microbial count as well as patient acceptance of each vehicle.
Study design: A randomized clinical trial with two parallel arms was used with a sample of 60 high caries risk children 6-8 years old. Children were divided randomly into two groups. Group I: Children who received propolis chewing gum and instructed to chew it twice daily for at least twenty minutes, for two weeks. Group II: children who received propolis mouthwash and instructed to rinse twice daily for one minute. A plaque index was recorded and a plaque sample was collected from all participants at base line and after two weeks of treatment. All participants were asked to rate the preparation they received during treatment period on a Visual Analogue Scale chart.
Results: Data showed that propolis had a significant effect on reducing plaque scores and colony counts in both vehicles. There was no significant difference between both vehicles neither on plaque reduction nor on microbial count. However children preferred the gum formula.
Conclusion: Propolis in both vehicles reduced plaque accumulation and microbial count which recommends its use as an antimicrobial agent in different vehicles.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Agent; Chewing Gum; High Caries Risk Children; Mouthwash; Propolis.