Oral Health Status of Disabled Individuals Oral Health Status of Disabled Individuals Attending Special Schools

Abstract

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the dmft-DMFT indexes and the oral hygiene status of 136 individuals attending a special school for the disabled.Methods:Participants were grouped according to disability [Mental Retardation (MR), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Autistic Disorder (AD), Down Syndrome (DS), Other (OTH)] and age [2–6 years (n=24), 7–12 years (50 children) and 13+ years (62 children]. Caries examinations were carried out in accordance with WHO criteria and oral cleanliness was evaluated by visually assessing the presence of plaque on teeth.Results:The age range of patients was 2–26 years (mean age: 11.89±5.19 years). Mean dmft and DMFT scores by age group were as follows: 2–6 years: dmft=2.04±2.24; 7–12 years: dmft=2.24±2.60, DMFT=0.98±2.58; 13+years: DMFT=2.68±2.91. Overall, 15.4% of children had no caries or fillings. While dmft and DMFT levels (P>.05) did not vary significantly by type of disability, oral cleanliness did. Children with autism were observed to maintain the best oral hygiene and those with mental retardation (MR), the poorest.Conclusions:It is important for the dentist to concentrate on a preventive approach and provide proper dental education to parents of disabled individuals. Among the children with disabilities, more attention should be paid to the oral hygiene of MR group.

Impact of oral and dental health on quality of life in Iranian preschool children and their families

“…Scarpelli et al recorded 2.1 ± 3.1 in Brazil (14). Altun et al recorded an average of 2.04 ± 2.24 in Turkey (16). It can be concluded from these findings that the children in the present study had a lower level of dental health than those in some of the studies in other countries, so it was necessary for us to do this study in Iran so that the results would be useful to policy makers for improving the OHRQoL of Iran’s population.…”

Oral Health of Down Syndrome Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…This is due to the fact that dental caries is irreversible and accumulative. By increasing the age of examines, increases DMFT index value, so the positive correlation is noted, as well as in survey performed in Yemen (20) and Turkey (21). …”

“…There is a general agreement that the population with mentally challenged children has higher rates than the general population, for poor oral hygiene, gingivitis and periodontitis (2). Moderate or severe gingivitis has been found almost universally, with degree and extent increasing with age and degree of mental retardation, especially for those individuals with Down’s syndrome (9).…”

“…High rates of dental caries, missing teeth, periodontal disease, prolonged retention of primary teeth, misaligned or supernumerary teeth and malocclusion are all indicators of poor oral health in adults with disabilities (2). …”

Oral Health of Down Syndrome Adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…High rates of dental caries, missing teeth, periodontal disease, prolonged retention of primary teeth, misaligned or supernumerary teeth and malocclusion are all indicators of poor oral health in adults with disabilities (3). …”