Supervisors info:
Καββαδία Αικατερίνη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια Εργαστηρίου Παιδοδοντιατρικής, Οδοντιατρικής Σχολής, ΕΚΠΑ
Κολαϊτης Γεράσιμος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Παιδοψυχιατρικής, Διευθυντής Παιδοψυχιατρικής Κλινικής ΕΚΠΑ, Νοσοκομείο Παίδων «Η ΑΓΙΑ ΣΟΦΙΑ»
Παπαγιαννούλη Λίζα, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια Παιδοδοντιατρικής, Οδοντιατρικής Σχολής, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Background. Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) is a general term used to describe a group of motor disorders attributed to neurological disturbances that occurred during early stages of life due to fetal or infant brain damage. The group includes disorders such as cerebral palsy, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, autism spectrum disorders, psychomotor retardation and movement-related syndromes. Neurodevelopmental disorders can have direct and indirect effects on oral health status.
Objectives. To assess and compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in Greece.
Material and Methods. The sample consisted of 146 preschool children with NDD (case group) and 165 healthy children matched for age and socioeconomic status (control group). Caries prevalence, dmft index, pre-cavitated carious lesions (WSL) prevalence and severity, VPI, Restorative Index (RI), Mutans Streptococci (MS) levels, saliva buffer capacity, gingival hyperplasia, tooth wear (TWI) and developmental dental defects were assessed. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests (p≤0.05).
Results. The case group, compared to the controls, had significantly lower caries prevalence [17.8% vs. 37.6% (OR=2.778, 95%CI=1.638 to 4.712)], dmft index [0.83 (SD= 2.15) vs. 1.66 (SD= 3.12), p<0.001], VPI [0.51 (SD= 0.26) vs. 0.65 (SD= 0.27), p<0.001] and MS levels [16% vs. 27%, (OR=1.898, 95%CI= 1.070 to 3.368)], significantly higher WSL prevalence (39% vs. 27%, p<0.001), and visited the dentist at an older age (p<0.001). Significant determinants of caries prevalence were: the child’s age (p<0.001), the VPI (p=0.016) and the presence of MS (p<0.001).
Conclusions. Preschool children with NDD had better oral health status with the exception of WSL prevalence and severity. However, most parameters were moderate to poor for both groups indicating the need for proper early interventions.
Keywords:
neurodevelopmental disorders, cerebral palsy, oral health, preschool children