Risk Factors Associated with Caries Experience in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine caries experience and associated risk factors in children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). A total of 86 participants aged 3-13 years (33 with ID and 53 healthy) were included in the study. Participants received an oral examination and their caregivers completed a questionnaire. Caregivers were required to determine the "level of function" of their children with regards to performing self care daily activities (brushing teeth, feeding and self dressing, walking and performing toilet activities). Four levels of function were determined; (A) being completely independent, (D) completely dependent, (B) and (C) partially dependent on caregivers. In healthy participants the mean dft score was 8.83 +/- 4.99 whereas in those with ID the mean dft score was 6.81 +/- 6.11. The mean DFT score in healthy participants was 2.32 +/- 2.98 while the mean DFT in those with ID was 0.92 +/- 1.57. Both dft and DFT scores were significantly different between participants with ID and healthy ones (p = 0. 042, p = 0.044 respectively). Caries status was not associated with gender, age or caregivers' education in the study sample. Significant associations were found between caries experience in participants with ID and their type of school (p = 0.01), nature of diet (p = 0.001) and "level of function" (p = 0.007). The type of school, nature of diet and "level of function" may be considered as influential risk factors associated with caries experience in children and adolescents with ID.