Oral health condition and treatment needs among young athletes with intellectual disabilities in Indonesia

Abstract

Data on the oral situation of young people with intellectual disabilities are scarce, especially data of children from a developing country. To describe and to evaluate the oral treatment needs of Special Olympics Special Smiles Athletes in Indonesia between 2004 and 2009. A cross-sectional study data were collected through interviews and clinical examinations using the Special Olympics Special Smiles CDC protocol. Indonesian Special Smiles athletes; their mean age was 13.46 years ± 2.97. More than 70% of athletes had visible untreated decay. Almost 30% (29.8%) of the athletes had gingival inflammation. Pain in the oral cavity was reported by 28.6%. Athletes who had untreated decay reported 6.67 times (95% CI OR; 4.00-11.14) more pain compared to those who did not have untreated decay. Athletes living in provinces on Java Island had 1.54 times (95% CI OR; 1.15-2.07) more untreated decay compared to the athletes who live in provinces in outer Java Island. 21.63% of the screened athletes were referred to the dentist for urgent treatment. The results suggest that there is an elevated oral treatment need in Indonesian Special Smiles population.