Prevalence and predictors of untreated caries and oral pain among Special Olympic athletes.

The authors assessed the prevalence and predictors of untreated caries and oral pain among Special Olympic athletes. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 9,620 athletes who were participating in the 2001 Special Olympics events held at 40 sites in the United States, and who consented to a standardized oral health screening. The prevalence of oral pain and untreated caries was 13.5% and 30.4%, respectively. Statistically significant independent associations (adjusted odds ratios [OR], p < or = 0.05) between untreated caries and oral pain (OR = 1.50), gingivitis (OR = 1.92), injury (OR = 1.28), missing teeth (OR = 1.79), and home care (frequency of cleaning their teeth once or less per week compared with once or more per day OR = 2.13) were found. In another model, we found statistically significant independent associations between oral pain and untreated caries (OR = 1.58), gender (OR = 1.28), gingivitis (OR = 1.30), and home care (frequency of cleaning their teeth once or less per week compared to once or more per day OR = 4.60). Substantial levels of untreated caries and oral pain were prevalent and related to poor oral hygiene and poor oral health. These findings were discouraging given that the study participants represented a generally well-supported, high-functioning stratum of persons with mental retardation in the United States.