Oral health condition of 12-year-old handicapped children in Flanders (Belgium).
The dental condition of 626 12-year-old handicapped children with mild mental or moderate to severe mental retardation or learning impairment, being 25% of the population of each of these groups, was examined in Flanders. An evaluation of oral cleanliness showed poor oral hygiene in 31.8% of the children. No significant differences were found in oral cleanliness among types of handicapping conditions. The mean DMFT score was 2.9 (s: 2.6) and DMFS score was 5.4 (s: 5.6). Almost 21% of the children were free of caries or fillings. No significant differences were found among groups of handicapped children. Handicapped children presented a low level of restorative care (restorative index score: 48.7%). Mildly mentally retarded children demonstrated the lowest restorative index (43.9%). The caries experience of first permanent molars represented the largest part of the DMFT score (64.1%). Sealants were present in 7.9% of children examined. A considerable percentage of mildly mentally retarded children and learning impaired children did not brush daily (22.1% and 20.9%) and did not receive help with toothbrushing from their parents or carers (91.0% and 94.7%, respectively).
Gizani
S
S
Catholic University Leuven, School for Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Operative Dentistry, Belgium.
Declerck
D
D
Vinckier
F
F
Martens
L
L
Marks
L
L
Goffin
G
G
D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003741:Dental Deposits / Q000453:epidemiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology; D008963:Molar; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants