Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
June 2011
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
12
Issue:
2

The long-term effect of a preventive programme on caries, periodontal disease and tooth mortality in individuals with Down syndrome

Introduction: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased prevalence of periodontal disease compared with otherwise normal, age-matched control groups and other intellectually disabled patients of similar age distribution. Caries prevalence tends to be lower in this population. Aim and objectives: To determine the long-term effect of periodic plaque control, on the progression of periodontal diseases and tooth mortality in patients with DS. Material and Methods: 25 adolescents and adults with DS (12 females/13 males, mean age 35.6 ± 8.6 years) were chosen to participate in the study from all patients with a disability, who had been treated for dental problems in a private dental practice in Borken, Germany. Standard indices to assess dental caries (DMFT), periodontal disease (PSR; bone loss; age ratio; tooth loss) were applied. Routine dental care and preventive care were performed over at least ten years. Results: Patient Group I consisted of 10 patients aged ≤ 15 years; Group II 15 patients aged ≥ 16 years, on first attendance. The overall mean DMFT score of all surveyed patients with Down syndrome was 13.4. For Group I and Group II, the mean DMFT scores were 8 and 17, respectively. Across all sites, 49.3% exhibited calculus and bleeding on probing. Shallow pockets and deep pocketing could be identified in 37.5% and 13.2% of all sites, respectively; 58.3% of all patients had slight bone loss in relation to age and 25% of all patients exhibited advanced bone loss. During the observation period an average of 2.5 teeth were lost in all patients, 0.5 in Group I and 3.8 in Group II. Conclusions: The results indicate that well-performed preventive procedures can prevent the progression of periodontal destruction in patients with DS. Only a few sites exhibited signs of advanced attachment loss and only few teeth were lost over the years of maintenance

Key words: Long-term effect, preventive programme, caries, periodontal disease, tooth mortality, Down syndrome

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
68
Page End
80
Authors
Habil Peter Cichon

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 50
  3. 50

  1. Professional attitudes towards disability in special care dentistry
  2. 51
  3. 58

  1. Preventive strategies to improve periodontal health in people with Down syndrome
  2. 59
  3. 67

  1. The long-term effect of a preventive programme on caries, periodontal disease and tooth mortality in individuals with Down syndrome
  2. 68
  3. 80

  1. Comparative oral health of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy and controls
  2. 81
  3. 87

  1. Implant, surgical and prosthodontic treatment for a patient with Down syndrome - a case report
  2. 91
  3. 94

  1. Diary Dates 2011
  2. 96
  3. 96

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