✽ The Method
An innovative technique created in Tenerife for those who cannot see their teeth
The P.L.D. Method was developed by
Dr. Claudia Rodríguez Maradei
with a clear goal: to enable visually impaired individuals to detect dental plaque as effectively as sighted people, using the tongue as a tactile perception tool.
The method was approved by the Ethics Committee for Research with Medicines of the Canary Islands University Hospital. The clinical study showed that blind participants achieved the same ability to detect and remove dental plaque as sighted individuals.
✽ Why it works
Why oral hygiene is especially challenging for visually impaired people
Without visual reference, it is very difficult to determine whether teeth are clean. Dental plaque cannot be directly perceived by touch, which leads many visually impaired individuals to develop preventable oral health issues due to lack of technique, not lack of intention.
The P.L.D. Method addresses exactly this problem: it trains lingual perception to detect plaque accurately, without the need for sight. A scientifically validated approach accessible to any visually impaired patient.
✽ The process
Three key elements that make the P.L.D. Method work
A specific protocol that can be learned and applied independently in daily life.
Tactile perception as a guide
The tongue detects texture differences between clean surfaces and those with plaque. The method trains this ability in a structured and progressive way.
Scientifically validated
The clinical study, approved by the CHC Ethics Committee, demonstrated that visually impaired participants achieved the same effectiveness as sighted individuals using the technique.
Independent and sustainable
Once learned, patients can apply it on their own without constant supervision. This autonomy significantly improves oral health and quality of life.
✽ Who it is for
Designed for visually impaired individuals, useful for everyone
The P.L.D. Method was specifically developed for people with total or partial visual impairment who face significant challenges in maintaining effective oral hygiene without visual cues.
However, due to its tactile approach and proven effectiveness, FUNDOCAN also promotes it as a complementary tool for any patient looking to improve their brushing technique.
The clinical study included singer Fabiola Zocas, ambassador of Canarian folk culture, as part of the group of visually impaired participants.
Do you or someone you know have a visual impairment in Tenerife?
The P.L.D. Method can make a real difference in oral hygiene. Contact us and we’ll explain how to access it.
Also discover
Other oral health programs from the Canary Islands Dental Foundation.
01
School oral health program
The first school-based dental education program in Tenerife, active since 1990 across five northern municipalities.
03
Care for vulnerable youth
Priority dental care for young people referred by social services in partner municipalities across Tenerife.