ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Oral health status among visually impaired (VI) children have shown to be poorer when compared with their normal peers. This preliminary study aimed to determine the oral health status of VI children and knowledge, attitudes and practices of their caregivers. Methods: A preliminary, cross sectional study were conducted on VI children and their caregivers attending Ophthalmology clinic Hospital USM. The assessment of oral hygiene was done using Sillness-Loe plaque index and dental caries using DMFT/dft index. Self-administered, validated questionnaires on knowledge, attitudes and practice towards a child’s oral health was distributed to the caregivers. Results: A total of 27 VI children along with their caregivers participated in this study. The mean age of VI children and their caregivers was 11.4(3.05) and 41.7(7.10) respectively. The children showed a fair oral hygiene status. The median(IQR) for caries experience for deciduous teeth (dft) and permanent teeth (DMFT) was 0.0(5.00) and 1.0(4.00) respectively. Caries prevalence among VI children was high at 85.2% (95% CI:70.86% - 99.51%). The caregivers showed a relatively good attitude and practice towards their child’s oral health with mean(SD) score of 23.2(2.95) out of 28 and 12.8(2.15) out of 19 respectively in comparison to low oral health knowledge of 5.5(1.50) out of 11. Conclusion: The oral hygiene status was fair with high prevalence of dental caries. Based on the score, although the caregivers showed to have minimal understanding on children’s oral health, their attitude and practice towards children’s oral health are relatively high.