Is there any difference in dental health beetween children with cerebral palsy and healthy children?

The aim of this study was to assess the difference in dental health beetween children with CP (cerebral palsy) and healthy children. 43 children with CP, 28 boys and 15 girls aged between 7 and 16 were included in the study. All of them suffered from quadriplegic CP. Children in control group were choosen by corresponding age and sex, for each child from the examinated group. Clinical inspection of oral cavity was performed with dental mirror and dental probe. It was noted: number of decayed teeth (D), missing teeth (M) and filled teeth (F), shown as DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) index. Caries was registrated on the level of cavitation. Average DMFT index was used for permanent teeth and the average dft index was used for morbidity of primary teeth. The analysis of DMFT index components separately was used for the evaluation of curative care of those two populations. Comparing the results of the DMFT/dft index values there is no statistically significant difference between children with CP and healthy children. Healthy children had statistically significant higher number of filled teeth than children with CP, while in children with CP was higher number of extractions. There is no statistically significant difference between examined and control group regarding component D that show untreated caries. D component of DMFT index is higher than filling and extraction component. This points to unsatisfactory level of curative measures performed in all children. Systematically organized health care for children with disabilities for more than 20 years in Rijeka region achieved results of no significant difference in dental health between children with cerebral palsy and healthy children. Early and well organised preventive care lead by cooperation of pediatric and dental health service is imperative to decrease the level of dental caries in that population.