Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis in disabled subjects attending the special needs schools in Kuwait. Methods: Eight hundred and thirty-two subjects (442 males, and 390 females) aged 3–29 years, who were visually or hearing impaired or who had physical or developmental disorders, were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 12.1 years. The subjects were examined for dental fluorosis using WHO criteria. Dental fluorosis was scored according to Dean’s index. Results: None of the subjects had severe fluorosis; less than 1.0% of them showed moderate fluorosis; 0.7% had mild and 2.5% had very mild fluorosis. There were no subjects with fluorosis up to the age of 7 years, but the prevalence varied from 0 to 10% between 8 and 20 years and only 1 subject above 20 years of age had fluorosis. Non-Kuwaiti nationality was a significant risk factor for the occurrence of dental fluorosis (OR = 2.4; p = 0.027). Conclusion: Fluorosis was less prevalent among these disabled subjects than had been reported among the healthy population in Kuwait.
The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and traumatic injuries in disabled children and adolescents attending the special-needs schools in Kuwait. Included in the study were 818 children (438 males and 380 females), in the age groups of 3-20 years, who have visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical handicaps, or developmental disorders. The mean age of participants was 11.9 years. The survey was carried out according to the methods of WHO. The prevalence of severe malocclusion was 23.6%, and that of slight malocclusion was 37.0%. Children with Down syndrome (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.51-3.52), those of increasing age (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.01-1.10), and males (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.05-2.07) had higher risk for the occurrence of severe malocclusion. Less than one-fifth of the subjects (16.9%) had traumatized anterior teeth. Severe malocclusion (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.17-2.77) and increasing age (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.13-1.26) were significant risk factors for the occurrence of traumatic injuries. We concluded that malocclusion and traumatic injuries are more prevalent among these subjects with disabilities than among the healthy population in Kuwait.
Background: In a 1999 survey high caries levels were found among physically disabled school students in Kuwait. Objectives: A field study was planned to test the efficacy of xylitol candies in preventing caries among individuals in two special schools in Kuwait. Methods: Altogether 176 students were examined in 2002 and 145 (105 in xylitol group and 40 in the control group) after 18 months’ intervention. The WHO criteria were used in recording caries according to surfaces (third molars were excluded) by 2 calibrated examiners (E.H., M.S.). The students were allocated to the xylitol group only if the parent/caregiver returned the informed consent form. School health nurses distributed xylitol candies to the students 3 times during the school day (after breakfast and lunch, and before leaving the school). Results: In the xylitol group, the baseline DS and DMFS scores were 3.4 and 8.2 and in the follow-up 1.9 and 7.1, respectively. In the control group, the baseline scores were DS 3.9 and DMFS 9.8, and the follow-up scores DS 3.9 and DMFS 13.2. Conclusion: Xylitol seemed to have a strong preventive and a clear remineralizing effect on caries.
The authors report on the effectiveness of a school-based, supervised toothbrushing program among a group of 112 children with Down syndrome in Kuwait. The study involved 45 boys and 67 girls, who ranged in age from 11-22 years (mean, 14.8 years). The participants had moderate mental retardation and attended one of two special needs schools. Plaque was scored according to the Silness and Löe plaque index and gingivitis according to the Löe and Silness gingival index. Supervised toothbrushing and dental health education sessions were conducted twice a week. The program was evaluated at the end of three months. The mean plaque score decreased from 1.93 to 0.95 (p < 0.001), and the mean gingival score from 2.00 to 0.83 (p < 0.001). This three-month supervised toothbrushing program was effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis scores, but the key to long-term success of the program is sustaining the children's motivation to make oral hygiene a part of their daily life.
Background:Oral cancer signifies a public health concern of international importance. Early detection of oral cancer can improve the prognosis and the 5-year survival rate.Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the level of oral cancer knowledge, opinion, attitudes and practices among dentists working at the primary oral health care centers in Kuwait.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the dentists working at the primary oral health care centers in Kuwait. A total of 289 dentists participated in the present study. The questionnaire included 23- questions on oral cancer knowledge, opinion, attitudes and practices.Results:The mean age of the dentists was 35.2 ± 10.9 years. Approximately, all dentists (99.7%) were aware of the major risk factors that were most likely associated with oral cancer. Overall, majority of the participants knew the most common form of oral cancer (80.6%), most common site (80.3%) and the likely lesions associated with oral cancer occurrence (87.9%). A large number of dental practitioners (81%) would routinely refer a patient with a suspicious lesion to a specialist. Nearly one-third (32%) reviewed their patients’ oral cancer risk factors. Approximately two-thirds (62%) assessed the use of tobacco in their practice. Almost, all (92.4%) were interested in attending continuing education courses on oral cancer.Conclusions:Majority of the participants presented good knowledge about various aspects of oral cancer. More continuing education programs on risk factors and diagnosis of oral cancer should be organized to train the dentists. Oral cancer screening should be a routine procedure for the high risk patients at the primary oral health care centers in Kuwait.
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