Oral Health Status among Girls with Developmental Disabilities: A Cluster Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the factors that influence oral health of girls, with developmental disabilities, attended by a dental service. Material and Methods: A Cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out using information collected from 171 dental charts of children aged one to 13 years, with developmental disabilities who were treated between 1998 and 2013. Studied variables were: dental caries, gingivitis, bruxism, xerostomia, ingestion of cariogenic food and oral hygiene. Statistical analysis was performed using proportion calculations of each variable and by cluster analysis. Results: Three types of clusters were formed from girls based on three variables (presence of dental caries, gingivitis and bruxism). The choice of two clusters was due to a better understanding of the phenomenon (oral conditions). There was an average of 0.77 of deciduous and 0.21 permanent decayed teeth. Cluster 1 is composed of younger children with lower caries and gingivitis experiences; lower proportion of xerostomia and ingestion of cariogenic food, higher proportion of good oral hygiene and more bruxism experience. Conclusions: Dental caries and gingivitis among girls with developmental disabilities are influenced by factors whose relation of cause and effect has been discussed in the literature. Bruxism is a protective factor against these diseases.Results reinforce the need for early preventive interventions in this population.

Chronology of the First Deciduous Tooth Eruption in Brazilian Children with Microcephaly Associated with Zika Virus: A Longitudinal Study

“…In the case of children with neurological disorders, there is also a need for early preventive interventions to guide parents and caregivers on the adoption of healthy eating habits and satisfactory biofilm control [11,31], considering that most children with special needs are dependent on their caregivers to carry out their daily life activities [30].…”

Atuação Do Cirurgião-Dentista No Atendimento a Pacientes Portadores De Paralisia Cerebral / Performance of the Dental Surgeon in Care for Patients With Cerebral Palsy

“…Resultando em um processo reparativo muito favorável com tratamento oportuno e reposicionamento adequado dos dentes. 13 A PC é definida como um englobamento de disfunções motoras que envolvem alterações na sensação, cognição, comunicação, comportamento e epilepsia. Desse modo, em muitos casos, esses pacientes dependem dos cuidadores para realizar suas atividades da vida diária, incluindo alimentação e higiene bucal.…”

Prevalence of Malocclusions and Associated Factors inBrazilian Children and Adolescents with CerebralPalsy: A Multi-Institutional Study

“…Some studies on the association of severe malocclusion in children, adolescents, and adults with CP [ 7 , 9 ], including children without CP [ 9 ], found the association with the presence of CP [ 9 ], mouth breathing [ 7 , 9 ], lip hypotonia [ 7 , 9 ], drooling [ 9 ], long facial type [ 9 ], and head hyperextension [ 7 ]. Given the above, motor and posture head and neck dysfunctions resulting from CP favors the need to feed through a liquid diet as well as the presence of several parafunctional habits that can alter facial and occlusal development patterns [ 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 27 , 28 , 32 ].…”