Investigation of caries prevalence in children with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in children with orofacial clefts.


METHODS
A total of 623 children aged 6-16 years with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate were included in the study. They were compared with 47,646 schoolchildren from Leipzig (Germany).


METHODS
This cross-sectional study used the standard dental indices dmf(t) and DMF(T) for clinical assessment. Children underwent a dental examination under standard conditions of seating and lighting in the out-patient department of paediatric dentistry as part of a regular checkup.


RESULTS
The prevalence of caries was significantly higher in children with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate in permanent and deciduous teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
These assessments not only provide a baseline for oral health parameters in young patients with clefts, but also underline the need for a more aggressive approach to the prevention of oral disease to optimize clinical outcome.
Kirchberg
Anja
A
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Leipzig, Germany. kizhk@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Treide
Alfred
A
Hemprich
Alexander
A
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous