The occlusal status of disabled children

The occlusal status of children in 6 schools for the handicapped was determined using the Occlusal Index (O.I.) of Summers (1966). Two dentists examined 381 children who had not previously received orthodontic treatment. An additional questionnaire investigating treatment interests and habits was also completed for each child. The study showed that 74,5 per cent required treatment, 10,5 per cent had good occlusions and 15 per cent had slight malocclusions where treatment was not considered essential. The mean O.I. was 7,92 +/- 4,33. Schools with mainly cerebral and mentally disabled children had a slightly higher O.I. but the difference in values was not statistically significant. The analysis also showed that 40,6 per cent of children were interested in receiving orthodontic treatment, but only 0,5 per cent were planning to seek it. There is a need for orthodontic treatment amongst disabled children and this should be taken into account in future oral health care planning.