title: Caries experience in individuals with cerebral palsy in relation to oromotor dysfunction and dietary consistency.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate caries experience in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) who have oromotor dysfunction and relate it to age and dietary consistency. Noninstitutionalized individuals with CP (n = 108) aged 4-19 years (mean: 10 years, 1 month +/- SD 4 years, 5 months) were recruited for this study. Subjects who were severely impaired (35.2%) had orofacial motor dysfunction most frequently, followed by those who were slightly affected (27.7%), moderately affected (20.4%), and very slightly affected (16.7%). Age was a statistically significant factor for oromotor dysfunction (p= 0.007), with the youngest individuals having the most severe oromotor problems. Dietary consistency and oromotor function were statistically significant influence on the DMF index (p= 0.0352). The highest total DMF values were measured for individuals who were severely impaired and also the youngest, as well as for those receiving liquid diets. Early rehabilitation, intervention, and prevention are important for these individuals.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dentistry, Persons with Disabilities Division, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil. drsantosmt@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Maria Teresa Botti Rodrigues
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Renata Oliveira
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Guare
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Celiberti
authors.forename: Walter Luiz
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Siqueira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D020820:Dyskinesias / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000145:classification*; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000145:classification; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009909:Oral Health; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000502:physiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult