ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL CARIES IN INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER IN KOZHIKODE DISTRICT– A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Individuals with intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) suffers from poor oral health due to impaired physical coordination and cognitive skills. However, their dental caries status is mostly underreported particularly in low-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the dental caries status of individuals with IDD as compared to age and gender matched healthy individuals in India. Methodology: In this comparative cross-sectional study, dental caries status of 266 individuals with IDDs aged 13-35 years and 266 age and gender-matched healthy individuals were assessed using the DMFT index. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Kruskal Wallis Test and Mann Whitney test. Results: Of the 266 individuals with IDD, IDD associated with autism (n=40, 15%) was the most common type of disability. 10.9% of the case and 30.5% of controls were caries-free. The mean number of decayed tooth and the DMFT score (DT= 4.16±4.17 vs 0.65±0.90; DMFT= 4.56±4.55 vs 1.41±1.42); P Value=0.00) were signicantly higher among disabled compared to their healthy controls. Whereas the mean number of the lled tooth (0.18±0.81 vs 0.68±1.1; Pvalue=0.00) was signicantly lower. DT and DMFT increased signicantly with the severity of disability (P value<0.05). Conclusion:Individuals with IDD had a highercaries experience and considerably lower lled tooth ratecompared to healthy individuals. Uplifting the priority given to oral health by oral health education programs and implementing strategies to improve access to dental services will help to address many of the challenges faced by these lessfortunate individuals.