Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
The prevalence of periodontitis and dental caries in a Down's syndrome population
Abstract:
The prevalence rates of periodontitis and dental caries in 30 Down's syndrome patients and 30 matched, otherwise retarded, controls were compared. The populations were older than those usually studied, with mean (+/- SE) ages of 27.4 (+/- 2.1) and 28.9 (+/- 2.3) for the Down's syndrome and control groups, respectively. Bone loss was found in 60.0% of sites in the Down's syndrome patients, compared with 9.3% sites in controls. In Down's syndrome, bone loss was first seen at about age 16, with 92% of patients 16 or older having loss; in contrast, only 42% of control patients 16 or older had bone loss, which first appeared at about age 28. There was a considerable difference in caries prevalence in the two groups, with the Down's syndrome patients having a lower overall prevalence which was most noticeable with respect to interproximal lesions. Seven Down's syndrome patients over age 15 were caries-free, as opposed to only one control patient.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
The Oral Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

