[Caries and gingivitis prevention in handicapped children and youth. Part 3. Five-year results]

In schools for handicapped children in Göttingen 104 mentally and physically handicapped and 150 learning disabled pupils participated in an intensive care preventive program. Their teeth were examined before beginning the prevention, after 6 months, and subsequently at annual intervals. The examinations consisted of caries diagnosis and assessment of periodontal health. Five years after the onset of the prevention program the incidence of caries in the various age groups and institutions was 23% to 64% lower than 1982. Results were best in mentally and physically handicapped children aged 9 to 11 years (mean DMF-S 1987: 2.4 versus 1982: 6.6). In the same period of observation the degree of oral health in mentally and physically handicapped children improved from 43% to 73%, in learning disabled from 32% to 63%. Mean SBI values were reduced by 60%.