Oral health in preschool children with cerebral palsy: A case-control community-based study

Abstract

Objectives.: To assess and compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without cerebral palsy (CP). Methods.: Preschool children with CP (72) were recruited from 23 Special Child Care Centers in Hong Kong. An age (±3 months) and gender matched sample of preschool children from mainstream preschools were recruited as the control group. Dental caries status, gingival health status, tooth wear, developmental defect of enamel, malocclusion, dental trauma and oral mucosal health were assessed and compared between the two groups. Results.: Significant differences in gingival health status were found between children with and without CP (mean plaque index scores, P = 0.001 and mean gingival index scores, P < 0.05). Tooth wear involving dentine was more prevalent among CP children (P < 0.001), as were evidence of anterior open-bite (P < 0.001) and oral mucosal lesions (P < 0.05). Children with and without CP had similar caries experiences (P > 0.05), prevalence of enamel defects (P > 0.05) and dental trauma (P > 0.05). Conclusions.: Differences of oral health status exist among preschool children with and without CP. Preschool children fare worse in terms of gingival health, tooth wear, oral mucosal health and malocclusion. © 2010 The Authors. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry © 2010 BSPD, IAPD and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.