Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs Among Disabled Children in Recife, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to investigate oral health status and treatment needs of children with disabilities in Recife, Brazil.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the six administrative districts of Recife. The sample consisted of 366 children with disabilities and age between 3 and 12 years. The oral health conditions investigated were dental caries (CPOD index and dmft index), gingival state (IPV and IGC index) and dental trauma. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Poisson regression models.

The prevalence of caries was 65% and was associated with age (p = 0.0027) and area of residence (p = 0.020). The prevalence of need for treatment was also 65%. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT)/DMFT index of the study population was 3.17/1.73. Their mean number of DMFT was 2.37, 0.55 and 0.25 for the deciduous dentition, as well as 1.56, 0.05 and 0.12 for the permanent dentition. Almost the entire sample (96.7%) had visible plaque, 77.3% had gingival bleeding and 27.6% had dental traumatism.

Children with disabilities were found to have high rates of caries and gingivitis, as well as cumulative needs for preventive and curative treatment.