The oral health status and treatment needs of institutionalized children with cerebral palsy in Taiwan

Background/purpose

In this study, we investigated the dental health status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) by determining their dental treatment needs in terms of different grades of disability, sex, and age.

Materials and methods

In total, the dental health of 345 children with CP aged £ 18 years residing in institutions was examined, and their treatment needs were evaluated. Stratified cluster sampling by probability proportional to size was used for sampling. A dental examination was conducted according to the protocol criteria of the World Health Organization. A databank was designed using Microsoft Office Access, and SAS and JMP were used for the statistical analysis.

Results

The deft (decayed, extracted and filled primary teeth) index in 5-year-old children with CP was 7.00 ± 6.73; the DMFT (decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth) index of 12- and 18-year-old children with CP were 2.50 ± 3.17 and 7.42 ± 5.48, respectively. The dental treatment needs increased with increasing age and the grade of disability. Children with a moderate grade of CP had the highest dental treatment needs.

Conclusion

More decayed and missing teeth and fewer dental restorations are common problems in children with CP, and the conditions worsen with age. The grade of CP and having mental retardation or not also worsens their dental health. Promoting the oral health education of parents, caregivers and nurses, strengthening prevention programs from childhood, and motivating dental practitioners to create a dental care system for this population with disabilities are urgently required.

Key Words:  cerebral palsy , dental health status , dental treatment needs

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