Oral Health Status of Children With High Risk of Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Abstract

JDSMStudy Objectives: To evaluate caries, gingival and periodontal status, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children with high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in comparison to those with low risk of SDB. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited consecutive children between the ages of 8 to 17 years from a university-based pediatric dental clinic. Caregivers completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) to stratify risk of SDB. Children and their caregivers completed the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) to measure OHRQoL. A dental examination blinded to the results of the PSQ and COHIP was conducted. Group characteristics were compared between those with high risk (SDB+) and low risk for SDB (SDB−). Results:One hundred twenty-three children were enrolled (11.5 ± 2.7 years, female = 48%). Forty-nine percent were classified as SDB+. COHIP scores were higher among the SDB+ group (24.5 versus 11.6, P < .001 as reported by caregivers, and 25.9 versus 10.3, P < .001 as reported by children). The incidence of dental caries present on examination was higher (60% versus 20%, P < .001) in the SDB+ group. In addition, the indices of periodontal diseases were higher among the SDB+ group when compared to the SDB− group (periodontal pocket depth was 2.0 ± 1.0 versus 0.0 ± 0.7, P < .0001, and bleeding on probing was 90% versus 20%, P < .001).Conclusions: This study suggests that caregiver reports of SDB symptoms in those seeking pediatric dental care are common. In addition, children in the SDB+ group had poorer OHRQoL, with increased incidence of caries lesion and periodontal disorders when compared to the SDB− group.

Oral Health and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

“…Children at risk for OSA had more dental caries, periodontal disease, and poorer OHRQoL than unaffected peers. 26 Interestingly, the oral health parameters of children with PSG-proven OSA were very similar to what we reported in children at high risk of OSA (based on PSQ). This highlights the benefit of using the PSQ as a noninvasive and practical tool for early detection of OSA.…”

“…34 Recently, our group reported that children at high risk of SDB have significantly poorer OHRQoL than children at lower risk of SDB. 26 As far as we are aware, no studies have been conducted to evaluate OHRQoL in pediatric patients with OSA. We believe the current study is the first to report the association between OSA and poor child-and caregiver-rated OHRQoL.…”