Oral health survey of 6-12-year-old children with disabilities attending special schools in Chennai, India.

BACKGROUND

The dental literature is replete with reports on the oral health surveys of normal children. Relatively few data exist for the oral conditions of mentally challenged children and adolescents with multiple disabilities in India.

AIM

To assess the oral hygiene practices and treatment needs among 6-12-year-old disabled children attending special schools in Chennai, India, between 2007 and 2008.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study data were collected using WHO criteria, a questionnaire (for the parents/guardians) regarding demographic data and oral hygiene practices, medical record review, and clinical examination.

RESULTS

Among 402 disabled children, majority of the children brushed their teeth once daily (89.7%) and with assistance from the caregiver (64.4%). The utilisation of the dental services was minimal (extractions 14.4%, oral prophylaxis 1.7%, and restorations 1.7%). There was significant difference between residents and non-residents for the mean dft/DMFT. The periodontal health was comparatively better among the residents of the institutions than the non-residents (P < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that various variables were significantly associated with dft/DMFT and Community Periodontal Index (CPI).

CONCLUSION

This study gives sufficient evidence to suggest that the oral health status of this disabled population was poor and there was an increased unmet dental treatment needs.