Asian Journal of Dental Sciences

The purpose of this study to describe the prevalence of dental caries and the oral hygiene status of disabled individuals attending Special School.

Methods: Participants who were attending a special school, the survey document included questionnaire and consent form, both was sent to school principal, teachers and parents. The parents were asked, to completed a questionnaire. Dental caries examinations were carried out in accordance with WHO criteria in the school field and oral cleanliness was evaluated by visually assessing the presence of plaque on teeth.

Results: Total number of participants in this study were 127 children, mean age was 13.97±3.68. The prevalence of oral health status reported 74% of children had caries experiences, Pulpitis, Ulceration, Fistula, Abscess index (PUFA) reported 21%. The mean of untreated caries (DT) was 2.09±2.09 for deafness, mean DT was 2.54±2.44 for mental, mean DT was 2.66±1.94 for blind respectively, there was no significant difference, statistically between type of disabilities. Severe dental caries were reported high in Down’s syndrome. 1.50±2.12 reported abscess in children. Then in other type of children. There was a statistically significant between disable children (p=.001). 70% children report fair oral hygiene of mild plaque and severe plaque attached on the tooth surface. This study invested that half of disable children (54%) needed dental treatment and 24% of children need urgent treatment because of tooth pain and abscess.

Conclusions: Among the children with disabilities, more attention should be paid to the oral hygiene and provide dental treatment programs for disability children.