[Oral findings of institutionalized handicapped children]

In this study, we investigated the oral conditions of 77 handicapped children (57 boys and 20 girls) and backgrounds of living in an institution. The results were as follows. Among 73 children having permanent dentition, the percentage of subjects with one or more DMF teeth was 94.52%, while DMFT was 7.45. The percentage of teeth treated for dental caries was 57.35%. GI (Gingival Index) was 1.7, and OHI-S was 3.50. The other features observed were attrition of posterior teeth in 25 subjects and crowding in 39. According to the degree of mental retardation, severely retarded children had a lower percentage of teeth treated for dental caries than moderately and mildly retarded children. Additionally, the severely retarded handicapped children who were long-time institutionalized and taking antispastic drugs, had the higher incidence of gingivitis and poor oral hygiene. This study indicated the necessity of a scheduled and active practice in order to improve oral hygiene status and gingival condition, and raise the percentage of teeth treated for dental caries of severely retarded children in an institution.