Abstract

SAEZ CUESTA, Ursula et al. Oro-dental health of residential patients in the Care Centre for the Mentally Handicapped in Albacete, Spain.. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.1, pp.23-26. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of oral disease, especially caries and periodontal disease in a population of mentally handicapped persons residing in a care centre, and its relationship with inadequate oral hygiene and consumption of medicines. Setting and participants: One hundred mentally handicapped persons residing in the Care Centre for the Mentally Handicapped (CADP) in Albacete, Spain. Measurements: Age, sex, disability level, underlying diagnosis, associated diseases and ability to communicate, medication, diet, treatment site (clinic or surgery) and odontological data (plaque, tartar, caries, DMF index, gingivitis, periodontitis and others). Results: The mean age was 42.9 years, the youngest patient being 18 years old and the eldest 71 years old. There were 57 men (57%) and 43 women (43%). The disability level was from 70 to 100 with a mean of 91.3. Most of the patients had been diagnosed as mentally retarded (59%), followed by Down's syndrome (11%), cerebral palsy (11%), encephalopathy (11%) and autism (3%). The most frequent associated disease was epilepsy (36%). A dental examination could not be performed on 7% of the patients. Sixty percent had caries, 63% had missing teeth and 2% had fillings. Eight percent of patients were completely endentulous. The mean DMF index was 11.66. Conclusion: The patients studied were severely handicapped and greatly in need of dental care. Tooth extraction was the most common dental treatment applied to these patients.

Keywords : Oral Health; Dental Caries; Disabled Persons.

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