Abstract

TIRADO AMADOR, Lesbia; DIAZ CARDENAS, Shyrley  and  RAMOS MARTINEZ, Ketty. Oral health in school children with Down syndrome in Cartagena ( Colombia). Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2015, vol.8, n.2, pp.110-118. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2015000200004.

Objective: To describe the state of oral health in school children with Down Syndrome (DS) in Cartagena, Colombia. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants: 158 students between 3 and 41 years. Location: School institutions with children with DS of Cartagena de Indias. Main measurements: An instrument was designed to assess sociodemographic variables, as well as a clinical tool to assess the state of oral health considering Dental caries prevalence evaluated by DMFT, dental fluorosis (Dean index), malocclusion (Angle classification), dental plaque (community plaque index CPI), presence of periodontal disease, soft tissue injuries and dental anomalies (shape, size and number). Data were analyzed from proportions and Chi-Square test was used for significance in relationships, assuming a limit of 0.05 for significance. Results: Caries prevalence was 45% (37-53 95 %CI), dental fluorosis prevalence 45.5% (37.7 to 53.4 95 %CI) and periodontal disease 58.8% (51.1 to 66.6 95 %CI); Class III molar on the right side 62% (40.2 to 74.2 95 %CI), Class III molar on the left side 60.7% (49.6 to 73.5 95 %CI) and open bite 41.8% (33.9 to 49.5 95 %CI). Bivariate analysis revealed statistical significance between the presence of dental caries and periodontal disease in school adolescents and those that do not have their own toothbrush; in use of fluoride toothpaste with less presence of dental caries, low frequency of tooth brushing (≤2 times a day) with less presence of fluorosis and more presence of periodontal disease; also between periodontal disease and unsupervised brushing (p <0.05). Conclusion: School children with DS presented high prevalence of dental caries, fluorosis and periodontal disease requiring more care and education in order to improve their oral health.

Keywords : Child; Adolescent; Down Syndrome; Oral Health.

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