ఓరల్ హెల్త్ అండ్ డెంటల్ మేనేజ్‌మెంట్

నైరూప్య

Evaluation of Oral Health Status, Practices and Treatment Needs of Children Attending Special Schools in the Twin Cities of Telangana State

Ambati Silpa Naidu, Triekan Sownetha, Susheel Ramdaspally, B Ankush, Radhika Muppa, Srinivas NCH

Objective: To evaluate oral hygiene practices, oral health status and other oral problems in children who are institutionalized in various special schools. Methods: 682 children comprising of 5 different categories that is: 1. Mentally challenged, 2. Down syndrome, 3. Autistic disorder, 4. Cerebral palsy, 5. Deaf and Dumb were screened for: oral hygiene practice, Dental caries experience, Oral hygiene status, Malocclusion, Angular cheilitis, Lip incompetency, Term of delivery, Co-operation during examination. Results: 89.9% them brushed once daily with compulsory assistance. 78% never visited the dentist. The mean deft/ DMFT score was 5.133 with fair oral hygiene (Mean-2.688) and highest prevalence of malocclusion. There was a statistical significance (p<0.001) in the findings among these children. Conclusion: Preventive services, regular checkups with education and motivation to the parents would be beneficial to these children.