Dental disease and caries related microflora in children with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate dental caries, bacterial dental plaque, gingivitis and caries related oral microflora in children with predominantly autosomal recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB).


METHODS
Thirty children with DEB from The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and 31 control children matched for age, gender and ethnicity were included in the study.


RESULTS
The main findings were: 1. A significantly greater mean dmft in the DEB children (p < 0.05). 2. A significantly greater mean plaque score for the DEB children for both the primary (p < 0.001) and permanent teeth (p < 0.02) compared with the control children. 3. A significantly greater mean gingivitis score for the DEB children for both the primary (p < 0.002) and permanent teeth (p < 0.0001) compared with the control children. 4. A significantly greater salivary total anaerobic count for the control children compared with the DEB children (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results reflect the difficulties that children with DEB have with basic oral hygiene procedures combined with slow oral clearance.
Harris
J C
JC
Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom.
Bryan
R A
RA
Lucas
V S
VS
Roberts
G J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016108:Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification