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Published on: January 11, 2016

Oral health in preschool children with cerebral palsy: a case-control community-based study

Rennan Y DU1, Colman McGrath, Cynthia K Y Yiu

  • 1Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|July 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP) show poorer gingival health, increased tooth wear, and more oral mucosal lesions compared to peers without CP. However, caries experience and dental trauma were similar between groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Child Health
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function and can impact overall health, including oral health.
  • Limited research exists on the specific oral health status of preschool children with CP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without cerebral palsy (CP).
  • To identify specific oral health differences in children with CP.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 72 preschool children with CP and a matched control group from Hong Kong.
  • Assessment of dental caries, gingival health, tooth wear, enamel defects, malocclusion, dental trauma, and oral mucosal health.

Main Results:

  • Children with CP exhibited significantly worse gingival health (higher plaque and gingival index scores).
  • Increased prevalence of tooth wear into dentine, anterior open-bite malocclusion, and oral mucosal lesions were observed in children with CP.
  • No significant differences were found in caries experience, enamel defects, or dental trauma between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Significant oral health disparities exist between preschool children with and without CP.
  • Children with CP are at higher risk for poor gingival health, tooth wear, malocclusion, and oral mucosal lesions.

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