Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2017
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
18
Issue:
3

The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago: thirteen years later

Aim and objective: To assess the oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago in 2017
and compare the results of this study against the previous data collected in 2004 and with recent data from
Special Olympic athletes worldwide. Methodology: A convenience sample of athletes who participated in the Special Olympics Special Smiles Healthy Athletes screening programme. The standardised Special Olympics screening form was used for the oral health assessment of each athlete. Results: 120 athletes participated. The mean age of participants was 24.1 years with a range of 5–80 years; 70.8% were male and 9.2% reported having dental pain. The prevalence of untreated decay was higher in 2017 than in 2004 (69.2% vs 43.7%), and gingival signs were present in 72.5% of the athletes in 2017 compared to 33.7% in 2014. There was an increase in participants with filled teeth (14.2% vs 9%) but a decrease in sealed teeth in 2017 (0.8% vs 2.9%). Urgent treatment need was found in 32.5% of the athletes. In comparison to Special Olympics athletes worldwide, the findings from Trinidad and Tobago were similar to those from developing countries in the Far-east and Eastern Europe. Conclusion: The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago suggests an urgent need to develop oral health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities and improve their access to oral healthcare.

Key words: Special Olympics, intellectual disability, oral health, West Indies

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
95
Page End
100
Authors
Hema Singh, Rahul Naidu, Christina Royer, Ashley Meighan

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  1. Editorial
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  3. 75

  1. iADH Invitation
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  1. Conscious sedation using propofol for the treatment of patients with hypersensitive gag reflexes
  2. 77
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  1. Patient referrals to special needs dental units in Tasmania, Australia
  2. 87
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  1. The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago: thirteen years later
  2. 95
  3. 100

  1. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and its implications for dental treatment (FOP): A case report
  2. 101
  3. 105

  1. Continuing Professional Development Programme
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  3. 107

  1. Diary Dates 2017-2018
  2. 108
  3. 108

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