Oral health status among children with impaired hearing in Sumawa city, Iraq

Abstract EN

Background : Deafness or hearing impairment is the loss of auditory function that will lead to social and psychological disturbances.

This study was conducted to determine the oral health status of children with impaired hearing attending special institute for deaf and mute in Sumawa city at south region of Iraq.

Materials and methods : In the present study (42) children with impaired hearing (26 boys, 16 girls) were examined in Al-Amal institute of Sumawa city in the south region of Iraq for deaf and mute children.

The same number of children, matching the age and the gender of deaf children, were chosen from school students in the same geographical area.

Caries severity, plaque, gingival and calculus indices were used for recording oral health status.

Results : This study revealed statistically no significant differences between children with impaired and normal hearing in mean values of all variables.

Conclusion : Caries severity and oral cleanliness may not be greatly affected with hearing disability.