The Effect of Regular Dental Examination on Prevention of Caries in Patients with Cerebral Palsy.

, Jung, Tae Du; , Kim, Jun Yeon; , Kim, Chul Hyun; , Lee, Yang Soo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2008;32(2):143-146.

Jung, Tae Du , Kim, Jun Yeon , Kim, Chul Hyun , Lee, Yang Soo

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, Korea. teeed0522@naver.com

뇌성마비 환아에서 정기적 치과검진이 충치예방에 미치는 효과

정태두, 김준연, 김철현, 이양수

경북대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the tendency of occurrence of dental caries in the primary or permanent dentition of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and attempt to determine an appropriate treatment method.

Method
We examined 29 children with CP treated in our rehabilitation center (CP group) and 27 normal children from one of the local kindergartens (control group). We checked DMF (decayed, missing and filled teeth) and DMF ratio (DMFR) and asked them if they underwent regular dental examinations or not.

Results
The mean age (±standard deviation) of the CP and control groups was 4.75 (±1.99) and 4.96 (±0.71), respectively. The prevalence of dental caries in the CP and control groups was 69% and 44%, respectively; moreover the percentage of patients in the CP group who underwent regular dental examinations was lower, as compared to the control group. Moreover, a significant statistical relationship between dental caries and regular dental examinations was observed only in the CP group.

Conclusion
As compared to the control group, the prevalence of dental caries in children with CP was higher, and they also underwent regular dental examinations less frequently. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2008; 32: 143-146)

Key Words: Caries prevention, Regular dental examination, Cerebral palsy