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Does the classification of cerebral palsy influence caries experience in children and adolescents?
Diniz, Michele Baffi; Guaré, Renata Oliveira; Ferreira, Maria Cristina Duarte & Santos, Maria Teresa Botti Rodrigues
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the influence of the classification of cerebral palsy (CP) on the caries experience
in children and adolescents, and determine the types of teeth most affected by dental caries.
Methods: A total of 181 individuals with CP, aged 8.30±4.10 years were examined for dental
caries diagnosis in primary, mixed and permanent dentitions. The sample consisted of 96
quadriplegic individuals, 56 diplegic, 18 hemiplegic and 11 with choreoathetosis. The groups
were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests. Univariate logistic regression models
were used to identify whether age was a predictor of caries risk (α=5%). Results: The sample
was homogeneous as regards sex and age, among patients with quadriplegia, diplegia, hemiplegia
and choreoathetosis. Out of the total sample, 51.4% of the individuals were caries free. The
overall mean for the dmft and DMFT indices were 1.70±3.30 and 0.70±1.60, respectively. The
mean caries experience in primary, mixed and permanent dentitions did not vary significantly
according to the CP classification (p>0.05). Child´s age was a predictor for dental caries experience
(p<0.05). Conclusions: The CP classification did not influence on caries experience, and the
teeth most affected by dental caries were the primary and first permanent molars.
Keywords
dental caries; cerebral palsy; oral hygiene; preventive dentistry
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