Parents' oral health promotion efforts for their children with Down syndrome and the children's oral health.

Abstract

The study evaluated parents' oral health care experiences and practices for their children with Down syndrome and its effect on the child's teeth and gingiva's condition METHOD: 75 parents of children with Down syndrome between 0 and 16 years of age responded to 18-item bilingual questionnaire concerning their child's oral health status RESULT: Most parents rated their child's teeth and gingiva health as good. There is no correlation found between experience score and practice score (r=-0.057), and no correlation between practice score on the child's both teeth (r=-0.001) and gingiva's condition (r=0.031). The parental oral health care experience and practices for their children with Down syndrome are deemed sufficient. However, a tailor-made comprehensive oral health care for them is very advisable, thus eradicating the barriers and challenges.