title: Perception of oral status as a barrier to oral care for people with spinal cord injuries.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the oral health status of people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and determine if people with a SCI have an accurate perception of their oral status, and if this is potentially a barrier to oral care. Methods consisted of a survey  and oral examination given to 92 willing participants of the Methodist Rehabilitation Center who sustained a SCI. The examination consisted of periodontal status using Periodontal Screen and Recording IndexTM and dental status using Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index. Oral health score was  also determined through questioning the participant. These scores, retrieved by the dental hygienist, were then compared to what the SCI individual's perception of their own oral health. Results indicate their perception of oral health was much better than dental assessment showed. Additionally,  more than 18% of this population was completely unaware of decay which was found in over half of those studied, and more than 60% were unaware of periodontal disease that was exhibited in over 75% of those studied. This comparison evaluated a major awareness about the need for education and  oral care among the SCI population.
authors.affiliation: University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004245:DMF Index; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000145:classification; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D012649:Self Concept; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult