Assessment of Oral Health Status of Differently Abled Children in Avadi Taluk, Tiruvallur District: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the oral health status of differently abled children in Avadi Taluk, Tiruvallur District. Materials and Methods: The current study was carried out at the Carmel Special School in Avadi Taluk, Tiruvallur District. The study included 131 participants (68 men and 63 women). The age of the participants ranged from 10 to 18 years. The subjects underwent a clinical oral examination after recording participant’s medical and dental histories. Results: The mean Simplified Oral Hygiene Index score for the study population was 3.12 ± 1.12 and the mean DMFS score was 8.9 ± 5.69, and the fluorosis index of the teeth was also measured, showing that 14% of participants had mild fluorosis and <3% of participants had moderate fluorosis. Conclusion: This study provides enough proof to conclude that, differently abled children’s oral health was below average and there was an increased unmet requirement for dental care. Children with disabilities face more significant obstacles in maintaining proper oral hygiene and accessing adequate health care, primarily because their limited motor skills and intellectual abilities often prevent them from engaging in essential practices like tooth brushing.