Ecological Study on the Oral Health of Romanian Intellectually Challenged Athletes

Abstract

This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually challenged athletes taking part in Special Olympics—Special Smiles (SO-SS) events organized in Romania during 2011–2019 and to find potential associations with socio-economic factors. An observational ecological retrospective study was conducted, and 1860 oral examinations were performed on participants aged 8 to 30 years in nine SS-SO events. Oral examination was performed under field conditions. Percentage of caries-free subjects, mean DMF-T index and its components (D = decayed; M = missing; F = filled; T = teeth), restoration index RI = [F/(F + D) × 100]%, and Plaque Index were calculated for each of the nine groups. Caries-free subjects ranged between 5.90% and 21.70%. DMF-T ranged from 4.27 to 7.71. Higher values for “F” component (range 0.66–1.69) and RI (range 13.02–27.74%) were found in events held in cities from regions with higher reported Gross Domestic Product. Sealants were present in 0 to 8.4% of the subjects. In areas with lower numbers of inhabitants per dentist, more sealants were found (p < 0.001). Romanian SO athletes exhibited relatively poor oral health, limited access to dental treatment, and low level of prevention. Targeted prevention and treatment programs adjusted to specific conditions in each geo-economic region are needed.

Brazilian special olympics athletes: Oral health problems

“…Targeted programs for primary prevention and education on oral hygiene techniques are needed, as well as dedicated facilities and trained staff for both preventive and restorative care. 18 This reality found in this study, shows us that there is a great difficulty in accessing and solving the oral health problems of people with intellectual disabilities, corroborating the study by Oliveira et al (2013), 32 who claim that, The access to oral health services was unsatisfactory, thus it is important to implement educational and health promotion inclusion policies for people with ID. 32 The results de Couto et al (2019), 33 in institutions of the central region of Portugal, allow for na awareness of these individuals' needs, of the barriers of access to health care, of the importance of the role of caregivers, the need to train health professionals specialized in the care of special patients, and of the unquestionable importance of establishing public programs to support this population's oral health.…”

“…18 The percentage of athletes with at least one permanent molar extracted varied between 14.60% and 35.50%, where this same author found the percentage of athletes with at least one permanent molar extracted varied between 14.60% and 35.50%. 18 The values found in Brazil are also higher than those found in the United States (14.6%-21.7%). 21 Gingival signs were defined as free or attached gingival margins or papillae that were moderately red or showed significant deviation from normal contour or texture, occurring on the buccal gingiva of three or more mandibular anterior teeth in the permanent dentition.…”

“…On the other hand, gingival enlargement and subsequent inflammation that may occur as a side effect of some antiepileptic drugs. 18 Special Olympics (SO) Healthy Athletes Program (HAP) in Brazil provides SO athletes the opportunity to undergo several health screenings at one event. The primary qualifying disabling condition for a SO athlete membership is intellectual disability (ID).…”

The Importance of Periodic Dental Control in the Oral Health Status of Elderly Patients

“…The absence of acute dental symptoms during the pandemic determined the decrease in the number of patients who presented themselves to the dentist. Past unpleasant experiences, a lack of perceived need, and fear are particularly important factors in the frequency of visits to the dental office [ 48 ]. An analysis carried out in the Republic of Moldova shows that, in the period 2008–2012, a constant share of 7% of patients benefited from dental consultations, and that, in 2016, only 3.7% of the total population had visited the dentist in the last 4 weeks [ 49 ]; in 2021 the share rose to 8% [ 50 ].…”

Epidemiological study on dental caries in schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study

“…Namely, most people affected by dental caries live in areas with high rates of poverty, poor socioeconomic indicators and consumption of non-fluoridated water (Vinereanu et al, 2022). Many of these areas are located in the Brazilian Amazon region, a vast territory in northern Brazil, where health surveys are rare (Eduardo et al, 2022).…”