A comparative evaluation of dental caries status among hearing-impaired and normal children of Malda, West Bengal, evaluated with the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment.
BACKGROUND
Dental caries is one of the major modern-day diseases of dental hard tissue. It may affect both normal and hearing-impaired children.


OBJECTIVE
This study is aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of dental caries in hearing-impaired and normal children of Malda, West Bengal, utilizing the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST).


METHODS
In a cross-sectional, case-control study of dental caries status of 6-12-year-old children was assessed.


METHODS
Statistically significant difference was found in studied (hearing-impaired) and control group (normal children). In the present study, caries affected hearing-impaired children found to be about 30.51% compared to 15.81% in normal children, and the result was statistically significant. Regarding individual caries assessment criteria, nearly all subgroups reflect statistically significant difference except sealed tooth structure group, internal caries-related discoloration in dentin, and distinct cavitation into dentine group, and the result is significant at P < 0.05.


METHODS
Statistical analysis was carried out utilizing Z-test.


RESULTS
Statistically significant difference was found in studied (hearing-impaired) and control group (normal children). In the present study, caries effected hearing-impaired children found about 30.51% instead of 15.81% in normal children, and the result was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Regarding individual caries assessment criteria, nearly all subgroups reflect statistically significant difference except sealed tooth structure group, internal caries-related discoloration in dentin, and distinct cavitation into dentine group.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental health of hearing-impaired children was found unsatisfactory than normal children when studied in relation to dental caries status evaluated with CAST.
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Sudipta
S
Kar
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Goutam
G
Kundu
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Shyamal Kumar
SK
Maiti
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Chiranjit
C
Ghosh
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Badruddin Ahamed
BA
Bazmi
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Santanu
S
Mukhopadhyay
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003804:Dentin; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000453:epidemiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016388:Tooth Loss
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants