Does the classification of cerebral palsy influence caries experience in children and adolescents?

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the influence of the classification of cerebral palsy (CP) on the caries experience in children and adolescents, and determine the types of teeth most affected by dental caries. Methods: A total of 181 individuals with CP, aged 8.30±4.10 years were examined for dental caries diagnosis in primary, mixed and permanent dentitions. The sample consisted of 96 quadriplegic individuals, 56 diplegic, 18 hemiplegic and 11 with choreoathetosis. The groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests. Univariate logistic regression models were used to identify whether age was a predictor of caries risk (α=5%). Results: The sample was homogeneous as regards sex and age, among patients with quadriplegia, diplegia, hemiplegia and choreoathetosis. Out of the total sample, 51.4% of the individuals were caries free. The overall mean for the dmft and DMFT indices were 1.70±3.30 and 0.70±1.60, respectively. The mean caries experience in primary, mixed and permanent dentitions did not vary significantly according to the CP classification (p>0.05). Child´s age was a predictor for dental caries experience (p<0.05). Conclusions: The CP classification did not influence on caries experience, and the teeth most affected by dental caries were the primary and first permanent molars.

Oral health in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Many studies tried to investigate correlation between cerebral palsy and different levels of motor impairment, but no statistically significant result were obtained 9,38,39 …”

Caries prevalence using ICDAS visual criteria and risk assessment in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A comparative study

“…Previous studies showed high caries experience in both dentitions in individuals with CP. 8,11,13 The results of a recent meta-analysis showed that children with CP have a greater prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth and worse simplified oral hygiene index. 5 The condition of CP, by itself, does not predispose patients to dental caries.…”

“…11 The prevalence of caries disease is high in children and adolescents with CP and is usually registered by the DMFT index recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). 12,13 However, it should be highlighted that this index does not record incipient non-cavitated carious lesions. Therefore, treatment and disease control measures should be implemented.…”

Experience of Caregivers Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Accessing Oral Health Care Services: A Qualitative Study

“…They are often associated with poor dental plaque control, oral motor dysfunction, and development of parafunctional habit as well as lack of accessibility to oral health services (Dougherty, 2009;Du et al, 2010;Ruiz et al, 2018). Dental decay is a burden in individuals with CP and affects at least one primary or permanent tooth (Moreira et al, 2012;Diniz et al, 2015). Diniz et al (2015) reported that the mean caries experience among children with CP for deciduous teeth was 1.70 (3.30) and for permanent teeth was 0.70 (1.60) which were higher compared to normal children.…”

“…Dental decay is a burden in individuals with CP and affects at least one primary or permanent tooth (Moreira et al, 2012;Diniz et al, 2015). Diniz et al (2015) reported that the mean caries experience among children with CP for deciduous teeth was 1.70 (3.30) and for permanent teeth was 0.70 (1.60) which were higher compared to normal children. The prevalence of gingivitis among children with CP in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was recorded at 83.6% (Alhammad and Wyne, 2011).…”