Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
October 2004
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
5
Issue:
2

The oral health status of the Special Olympics Special Smiles (SOSS) athletes in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Aim: The present study was carried out to assess the oral health status and treatment requirements of persons with learning disability (LD) namely, Special Olympics Special Smiles (SOSS) athletes, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region. Design: The study population consisted of a convenience sample of athletes participating in the Special Olympics events held in the Middle East and North Africa Region during 2002. Subjects: The sample comprised 204 Special Olympics athletes from 17 countries in the MENA Region. Main outcome measures: A standardised oral health screening form and standardised oral health exam were used for the assessment of each athlete. Results: The age range of the 204 athletes was 11–54 years, mean age 19.3 years. There was a high prevalence of molar decay (54.1%), and gingival signs (53.4%). Of the screened athletes, 22.4% needed urgent care, and 56.7% needed non-urgent care. The remainder needed only maintenance care. No edentulous athletes were reported. Conclusion: This study indicated the special and distinct need for creating organised education, preventive and curative oral health programmes for people with learning disability in the Middle East and North Africa Region, to improve their health status. Key words: Special Olympics International (SOI), oral health status, learning disability, Special Olympics athletes

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
77
Page End
79
Authors
Mark L Wagner, Stephen B Corbin, Wahid M Terro

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 50
  3. 50

  1. The role of joint consultant restorative and special care clinics in the community
  2. 51
  3. 56

  1. Oral hygiene and periodontal treatment needs in young people with special needs attending a special school in Greece
  2. 57
  3. 64

  1. Relationship between hepatitis virus infection and dental status in an 80year-old population
  2. 65
  3. 69

  1. Root surface caries in elderly people in residential care
  2. 70
  3. 76

  1. The oral health status of the Special Olympics Special Smiles (SOSS) athletes in the Middle East and North Africa Region
  2. 77
  3. 79

  1. Caries among a group of Romanian intellectually impaired children
  2. 80
  3. 82

  1. Effects of edentulism on lingual functions during swallowing
  2. 83
  3. 87

  1. BSDH Interview
  2. 88
  3. 89

  1. BSDH News
  2. 90
  3. 90

  1. Abstracts
  2. 91
  3. 91

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