Oral health status in individuals with Down syndrome

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Genetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder.
• DS presents with diverse oral and systemic health manifestations.
• Oral hygiene status in individuals with DS requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the oral hygiene status and practices of individuals with Down syndrome in Benghazi, Libya.
• To identify dietary habits influencing oral health in this population.
• To provide data for targeted oral health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 124 individuals with DS.
• Data collection through questionnaires on oral health and diet.
• Oral examinations to evaluate dental status.
• Statistical analysis using SPSS, including Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

Main Results:

• 62% of individuals with DS brush teeth once daily; 44% brush for less than one minute.
• 55% consume sweet snacks between meals.
• 47% had zero DMFT (decayed, missing, or filled teeth); 46% scored 1 on the Oral Hygiene Index (OHI).
• 54.5% had a zero CPITN score (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs).

Conclusions:

• Individuals with Down syndrome exhibit a weaker tendency towards maintaining optimal oral hygiene.
• Dietary habits, particularly frequent consumption of sweet snacks, may negatively impact oral health.
• Enhanced parental guidance and supervision are crucial for improving oral health practices in individuals with DS.