Oral Health and General Health in Children Having Intellectual Disabilities: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the correlation between oral health and general health in children having intellectual disabilities. Study Design: Cross-sectional, questionnaire based study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Step to Learn School, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, fromMay to June 2014. Materials and Methods: A sample of 88 children were selected from two branches of 'Step to Learn', a special school for children with intellectual disabilities. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to assess general health, while oral health was measure by the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Dental surgeons and dental students conducted the examination. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to compare the correlation between BMI and DMFT. The data was analyzed using the software SPSS (v 17.0). Results: Out of 88 children, data of 85(96.59%) was recorded. No significant correlation was found between oral health and general health (r = -0.06). Conclusion: The general health of children with intellectual disabilities does not impact their oral health. Subsequent oral and general health educational initiatives should be conducted separately.

Keywords

• intellectual disabilities, general health, oral health.