Dental study of handicapped children attending special schools in Birmingham, UK

The prevalence of dental caries, the levels of oral hygiene and the periodontal treatment requirements were assessed in 3562 handicapped children and 1344 randomly selected normal children attending schools in Birmingham, UK. The effect of different types of handicapping condition on these parameters was also evaluated. This investigation showed that there were few differences in caries prevalence when comparing handicapped children with children attending normal schools. However, the provision of dental care showed significant differences, with the handicapped children receiving less restorative treatment. There were also significantly poorer levels of oral hygiene and a greater prevalence of periodontal disease in the handicapped children attending special schools. The type of handicapping condition had a significant effect on the periodontal problems observed; those children with mental retardation having the poorest levels of oral hygiene and the greatest periodontal treatment requirements.