Use of papain gel in disabled patients.

Purpose: This study's purpose was to evaluate complete caries removal time (CCR) and patient acceptance of the chemomechanical caries removal agent and papain gel Papacárie in disabled patients.

Methods: Fifty-one consecutive patients entered a prospective, controlled, randomized, open study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) group 1=28 children 3 to 10 years old with or without visual or hearing impairments, motor disability on upper limbs, and inability to respond to simple orders; and (2) group 2=23 children, without visual or hearing impairments, with motor disability on the upper limbs and the ability to respond to simple orders. CCR time was measured in both groups. Patients' acceptance was assessed only in group 2 by using the visual analogy of face scale. The visual scale was presented in phase A--after the radiography with the child sitting on the dental chair before the beginning of the treatment, phase B--during the treatment, after total removal of the carious tissue and phase C--after the restoration was complete (treatment was finished).

Results: The total CCR average time was 8 minutes for each tooth when groups 1 and 2 were considered. Group 2 patients' acceptance in the first treatment was not statistically significant in all stages.

Conclusions: Papacárie gel had a completed caries removal time of 8 minutes per tooth and is well accepted by the patients in all phases and in the first and subsequent visits.