Oral health, dental anxiety, and behavior management problems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether children with ADHD have a higher caries prevalence, a higher degree of dental anxiety, or more dental behavior management problems (BMP) than children of a control group. Twenty-five children with ADHD and a control group of 58 children, all aged 11 yr, were included in the study. The children underwent a clinical dental examination, and bitewing radiographs were taken. The parents completed the Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS). Dental records from the subjects were obtained, and data regarding notes on behavior management problems (BMP) of the children when between 3 and 10 yr of age were compiled. Compared with controls, children with ADHD had significantly higher decayed, missing or filled surfaces (DMFS) (2.0 +/- 3.0 vs. 1.0 +/- 1.5) and significantly higher decayed surfaces (DS) (1.7 +/- 3.6 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.9). Differences between the groups regarding CFSS-DS scores were non-significant. In the ADHD group, the prevalence of BMP increased when the children were between 7 and 9 yr of age. In conclusion, children with ADHD exhibited a higher caries prevalence, did not exhibit a higher degree of dental anxiety, and had more BMP than children of a control group.
Blomqvist
My
M
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. My.Blomqvist@ki.se
Holmberg
Kirsten
K
Fernell
Elisabeth
E
Ek
Ulla
U
Dahllöf
Göran
G
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology