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

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome is a congenital autosomal anomaly characterized by generalized growth and mentaldeficiency.This study was conducted to determine the oral health status of children with Down syndrome attendingspecial institute for mental retardation in Sumawa city at south region of Iraq in comparison with non syndromicchildren.Materials and methods: In the present study (35) children with Down syndrome (25 boys, 10 girls) were examined in Alrajaainstitute 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 samegeographical 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 higherdecayed surfaces of primary teeth at same age group with statistical significant differences. This study also showedhigher mean values of plaque and gingival index among children with Down syndrome than normal children withhighly significant differences.Conclusion:It can be concluded from this study that children with Down syndrome have poorer oral health thancontrols. They would benefit from frequent oral health assessment