Dental caries experience of disabled children and young adults in Kuwait

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.

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.

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.

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.