Prevalence and determinant factors of malocclusion in children with special needs

Abstract

Careful attention to malocclusion in children with special needs leads to a considerable improvement in the quality of life. The present study analysed the prevalence of malocclusion in children with Down syndrome (DS) and cerebral palsy (CP) as well as associations with individual, socio-economic, and behavioural factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out that included 181 mothers and their children with DS and CP (aged 3-12 years) at two institutions for individuals with special needs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to the mothers and a dental examination of the children. Clinical examination recorded the following: anterior/posterior crossbite and anterior openbite (AOB). The control variables were the mother's level of education as well as the gender and age of the child. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. An anterior crossbite was present in 20.4 percent, a posterior crossbite in 21.5 percent, and an AOB in 29.8 percent. The presence of DS, bottle feeding, and non-nutritive sucking habits for 24 months or more was determinant factors for an anterior crossbite and the presence of DS, bottle feeding and non-nutritive sucking habits for 24 months or more, and respiratory infection in the previous 6 months was determinant factors for a posterior crossbite. The presence of CP and non-nutritive sucking habits for 24 months or more was determinant factors for an AOB. Thus, the prevalence of malocclusion in children with special needs was associated with the type of disability, use of bottle feeding and non-nutritive sucking habits for 24 months or more, and respiratory infection in the previous 6 months.

Prevalence of Dental Malocclusion Among Children with Physical, Sensory and Neuropsychological Disabilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…Meanwhile, deep bite incidence in neuropsychological disabilities may be due to Down's syndrome members of the group who are reported to have reduced vertical dimension of the maxilla and mandible, short teeth, forward rotation of maxillary and mandibular planes [50]. The present study found a low prevalence of posterior crossbite (5.4%) than that obtained by Oliveira et al, [51] (21.5%), among children with neuropsychological disabilities; this may also be contributed to the age differences of the studied populations. Also, different methods of scoring malocclusions may have contributed to this difference.…”

Characteristic of Malocclusion among Saudi Special Need Group Children

“…The prevalence of definite and severe malocclusions is usually higher for special needs groups and it also has a noticeable effect that could affect their daily routine, such as facing discrimination due to their appearance, issues with functions, such as mastication, swallowing, and speech. 14,15 Orthodontic services have normally been neglected for this group of children with special needs. This study compared the occurrence of dental occlusal anomalies and found an increased prevalence of class III malocclusion in the DS children compared with the autism subject who had a higher prevalence of class I.…”

“…The health care professional should have an integral and multidisciplinary role in motivating parents or guardians to seek oral care at young age. 15 A proper approach by health care professionals and policymakers should aim at reducing the prevalence of malocclusion in these special group children, thereby developing and improving their quality of life. Furthermore, the public or national health care services should draft suitable policies, such as education, motivating the parents that could significantly benefit in preventing or treating malocclusions.…”

Condição bucal de crianças e adolescentes brasileiros institucionalizados com paralisia cerebral

“…34 Por sua vez, na dentição permanente, a má oclusão muito severa foi encontrada de forma prevalente, à semelhança de outros estudos brasileiros. 29,35 Tais achados podem ser explicados pela frequente presença de disfunções motoras na musculatura orofacial, respiração bucal, movimento ou posicionamento inadequado da língua e reflexos involuntários nas crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral.…”