Risk factors for dental caries among children with cerebral palsy in a low-resource setting

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Public Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often face unique oral health challenges.
• Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for dental caries in this population is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the oral health status, specifically dental caries experience, among children with CP in rural Bangladesh.
• To identify factors associated with dental caries in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 90 children with CP from the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register (BCPR).
• Data collected included caries experience (dmft/DMFT), periodontal index, BMI, oral hygiene, masticatory ability, diet, CP motor type, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.
• Binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting caries experience.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of dental caries was observed, particularly in older age groups (70% in 7-11 year olds).
• Mean dmft was 2.46 and mean DMFT was 0.72.
• Significant risk factors for dental caries included quadriplegia (OR 5.56), infrequent tooth cleaning (OR 0.08), using abrasive cleaning agents like toothpowder/charcoal (OR 7.63), and frequent snacking (OR 6.93).

Conclusions:

• Dental caries is highly prevalent in children with CP in rural Bangladesh.
• Early and targeted oral health preventive strategies are essential for this vulnerable population.
• Addressing specific risk factors such as motor impairment, hygiene practices, and dietary habits is critical.