Dental caries experience of disabled children and young adults in Kuwait

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the caries experience of disabled children and young adults in Kuwait, to set baseline data, and to determine their treatment need.

Method: Dental caries was scored by surface in accordance with WHO criteria. The study population comprised 832 disabled children and young adults (3-29 years; mean age 12.1 years) who were visually impaired, hearing impaired, had physical handicaps or developmental disorders, attending special needs schools.

Results: The proportion of caries free subjects in the primary dentition (3-12-year-old children) was 11.2%. The mean dmft was 5.4, and dmfs 15.2, being highest in the Down's syndrome and lowest in the blind. The proportion of caries-free subjects in permanent dentition, over 5 years of age was 24.2%. The smallest percentage of caries-free subjects was found in the hearing impaired (16.4%) and highest percentage in the blind (35.5%). The mean DMFT was 4.5 and the DMFS 8.7, being highest in the Down's syndrome and lowest in the blind. Prevalence of untreated decay was highest in hearing impaired (86%). The caries experience of first permanent molars represented the largest proportion of the DMFT score (53.6%). In the permanent dentition increasing age, impaired hearing, and poor oral hygiene were significantly associated with caries risk.

Conclusions: Caries experience among this disabled population was clearly higher than among the respective age groups in a previous national population survey. The study confirmed the need for strengthening organised preventive and restorative care for this population in Kuwait.