title: Characteristics of individuals with hydrocephalus and their dental care needs.
abstract: Hydrocephalus is considered a congenital disease affecting the central nervous system, and is characterized by accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the lateral ventricles of the brain causing progressive ventricular dilatation. This review paper reports on the oral characteristics of persons with hydrocephalus and discusses their dental care needs. It has been reported that patients with hydrocephalus can present chronological changes in the eruption of their teeth, changes in the occlusion, greater accumulation of plaque, and have a higher caries prevalence. Regular dental visits are needed to control caries as well as to educate the caretakers about oral hygiene for children with hydrocephalus. In addition, the dental practitioner should be careful not to put pressure on the ventricular-peritoneal drainage tube during dental treatment. Special devices are available to support the patient's head if they have macrocephally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Weber
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: de Morais Gallarreta
authors.forename: Fernanda Pierobon Lopes
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Bernardotti
authors.forename: Aldevina Campos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: Alexandra Mussolino
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Queiroz
authors.forename: Gisele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faria
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000379:methods; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000209:etiology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000209:etiology