Dental health in asthmatic children: a South Italy study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the oral health status of children with mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma compared to healthy children.

Methods: A group of 124 asthmatic children was compared to 156 age-matched healthy children. Bitewing radiographs were taken and clinical examinations were carried out to record caries prevalence, caries experience in both dentitions, periodontal health and dental enamel defects.

Results: Caries prevalence for asthmatic patients was 39% in the permanent dentition and 32% in the primary dentition. Healthy subjects presented 36% caries prevalence in the permanent dentition and 26% in the primary dentition. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in caries experience. The differences between asthmatic subjects and healthy subjects for periodontal health and enamel defects were not statistically significant either.

Conclusions: Children affected by mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma do not seem to be more susceptible to oral diseases than healthy children.