Dental health in asthmatic children: a South Italy study

The purpose of this study was to examine the oral health status of children with mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma compared to healthy children.

A group of 124 asthmatic children was compared to 156 age-matched healthy children. Bitewing radiographs were taken and clinical examinations were carried out to record caries prevalence, caries experience in both dentitions, periodontal health and dental enamel defects.

Caries prevalence for asthmatic patients was 39% in the permanent dentition and 32% in the primary dentition. Healthy subjects presented 36% caries prevalence in the permanent dentition and 26% in the primary dentition. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in caries experience. The differences between asthmatic subjects and healthy subjects for periodontal health and enamel defects were not statistically significant either.

Children affected by mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma do not seem to be more susceptible to oral diseases than healthy children.