Abstract
BackgroundVisual impairment is an important disability affecting a substantial proportion of people globally. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of visually impaired schoolchildren in northeast China, and to investigate the influencing factors.MethodsThe study was performed in 2015, according to the criteria and methods used in the Third National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey in China. One hundred and three visually impaired schoolchildren from the only special school for the blind in northeast China were included in the study. Oral examinations were performed to assess the caries of deciduous and permanent teeth, periodontal disease, malocclusion. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to investigate oral health-related behaviors, knowledge and attitude about oral care.ResultsThe overall prevalence of caries was 78.64%, and mean number of caries was 2.43 ± 2.75. The prevalence of caries in deciduous and permanent teeth was 65.22 and 71.84%, respectively. The rates of gingival bleeding and dental calculus were 44.66 and 67.96%, respectively. Malocclusion was observed in 49.51% of the children with visual impairment. The prevalence of caries was significantly higher in girls than boys (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis identified the knowledge level of parents and the toothache experience as risk factors for oral health, while the daily use of fluoride toothpaste could reduce the caries incidence.ConclusionsThis group of visually impaired schoolchildren exhibited a high prevalence of dental caries, poor periodontal health, and severe malocclusion. Oral health status is relatively poor among visually impaired schoolchildren in northeast China. Factors that significantly affected the prevalence of dental caries included education level of the mother, experience of toothache, and use of fluoride toothpaste.
Highlights
IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of visually impaired schoolchildren in northeast China, and to investigate the influencing factors
Visual impairment is an important disability affecting a substantial proportion of people globally
The present study aimed to investigate the oral health status, as well as the associated factors, of visually impaired schoolchildren enrolled at the only school for the blind in northeast China
Summary
The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of visually impaired schoolchildren in northeast China, and to investigate the influencing factors. Visual impairment is an important disability affecting a substantial proportion of people globally. It is estimated that over 1.4 million children worldwide are living with visual impairment; 75% of this population live in the poorest regions of Asia and Africa [1]. The prevalence of visual impairment in children in some low-income countries and regions reaches 0.15% [1, 2]. Oral disease may be difficult to diagnose in disabled children, and adherence to treatment may be poor [1, 3,4,5]. The lack of hand-eye coordination, inadequate parental supervision, and a lack of input from peers can reduce attention to oral health [1, 6]
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