Prevalence of dental caries and oral hygiene among specially-abled children

Dental caries (tooth decay) is a common oral health problem among children, significantly impacting their overall well-being and quality of life. Therefore, it is of interest to find the prevalence of dental caries and oral hygiene status in specially-abled children. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of dental caries and oral hygiene status in 225 specially-abled children. The participants, aged <18 years, were included in the study. The study included children with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring a diverse representation of conditions that may impact oral health. A total of 225 especially abled children participated in the study, with a mean age of 12.5± 3.4 years. The participants included 130 males (57.8%) and 95 females (42.2%). Children with intellectual disabilities exhibited the highest mean DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) score (4.2 ± 2.3), with 75% of them affected by dental caries. In comparison, children with physical disabilities had a mean DMFT score of 3.6 ± 1.9 and a caries prevalence of 62%. Thus, the prevalence of dental caries and poor oral hygiene status is notably high among specially-abled children, particularly those with intellectual disabilities.