title: Deleterious oral habits in children with hearing impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deleterious oral habits represent a serious public health issue. The information available about this problem in children with hearing impairment is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of deleterious oral habits among children with hearing impairment and comparing results against children without hearing impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This epidemiological study was carried out in a sample size of 315 children. We used a random sampling technique that included 150 children with hearing impairment and 165 without hearing impairment. All subjects were submitted to a clinical examination. The parents/legal guardians were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the deleterious habits of their children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data collected indicated a higher prevalence of deleterious oral habits among children with hearing impairment: 53.3% as opposed to 40.6% among children without hearing impairment. There was a higher incidence of malocclusion in children with hearing impairment (79.3%) compared to children without hearing impairment (57%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlighted the need to establish protocols for preventive orthodontic treatment at an early age, in order to reduce the deleterious oral habits and prevent malocclusion. Dental institutions/clinicians need to implement oral care programs including proper oral education aiming to promote oral health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Raluca Diana
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Suhani
authors.affiliation: Dental practice Ortoelitte, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihai Flaviu
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Suhani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Alexandrina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muntean
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mesaros
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Mindra Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Badea
keywords: children; hearing impairment; oral habits