Assessment of dental caries, oral hygiene status, traumatic dental injuries and provision of basic oral health care among visually impaired children of Eastern Odisha

Abstract

Context: The magnitude and severity of oral health problems in visually impaired population are worse than in general population, and they tend to have more untreated dental diseases and more problems accessing dental care.

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess dentition status and treatment needs, oral hygiene status, and traumatic dental injuries among institutionalized children attending special schools for the visually impaired in eastern Odisha.

Settings and design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a universal sampling protocol.

Subjects and methods: American Dental Association Type III clinical examination was carried out using plane mouth mirrors and community periodontal index probes under adequate natural illumination by a single examiner assisted by a trained recording assistant. After completion of the study, all participants were provided with basic oral health care through outreach programs.

Statistical analysis: Comparisons were done using Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and Chi-square test.

Results: Caries prevalence for primary and permanent dentition was 15% and 46%, respectively. Mean oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) was 2.43 ± 1.03. The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was 11%. A statistically significant difference in mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) was observed in children consuming liquid sugar as compared to solid and those consuming sticky sugars as compared to nonsticky. A statistically significant difference in mean OHI-S scores was observed when compared with frequency of changing toothbrush.

Conclusions: This sample of visually impaired children has a high prevalence of dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, and poor oral hygiene. Unmet needs for dental caries were found to be high indicating very poor accessibility and availability of oral health care.