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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Difficulty in Keeping Teeth Clean and Its Impact on Oral Health in Cerebral Palsy: Evidence From a New Zealand Cohort
Alexandra Sorhage1, Caitlin Agnew2, A Marie Blackmore3,4
1Paediatric Orthopaedics, Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand.
Background:
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face challenges in maintaining oral hygiene; data on their oral health practices and outcomes are limited.
Aim:
To examine oral health practices and their association with adverse oral health outcomes among children and young adults with cerebral palsy in New Zealand.
Design:
A cross-sectional, observational survey of 90 individuals with CP (aged 0-26 years) collected data on oral health behaviours, experiences, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS).
Results:
Sixty-one (69%) reported teeth-brushing twice a day, 84 (94%) using age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and 73 (85%) seeing a dental professional in the last 2 years. Difficulty keeping teeth clean was reported by 36 (41%) of participants and associated with 'poor' oral health (p < 0.001); toothache ≤ 12 months (p = 0.032); bad breath (p < 0.001) and bleeding gums ≤ 4 weeks (p < 0.001). Difficulty keeping teeth clean was more commonly reported for participants classified as GMFCS IV-V [19 (59%), p = 0.005] and EDACS III-V [12 (60%), p = 0.034].
Conclusion:
Difficulty keeping teeth clean was commonly reported by individuals with greater physical and swallowing limitations and observed with indicators of adverse oral health. Targeted, family-centred strategies are needed to support effective oral hygiene in this population.
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