Oral health status among children Downs syndrome in Sumawa city, Iraq

Abstract EN

Background : down syndrome is a congenital autosomal anomaly characterized by generalized growth and mental deficiency.

This study was conducted to determine the oral health status of children with Down syndrome attending special institute for mental retardation in Sumawa city at south region of Iraq in comparison with non syndromic children.

Materials and methods : in the present study (35) children with Down syndrome (25 boys, 10 girls) were examined in Alrajaa institute of Sumawa city in the south region of Iraq for mentally retarded children.

The same number of children, matching the age and the gender of syndromic 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 higher dmfs mean value among syndromic children at age (10-12) years old and higher decayed surfaces of primary teeth at same age group with statistical significant differences.

This study also showed higher mean values of plaque and gingival index among children with Down syndrome than normal children with highly significant differences.

Conclusion : it can be concluded from this study that children with Down syndrome have poorer oral health than controls.

They would benefit from frequent oral health assessment.