Caries and oral hygiene status among a group of Saudi cleft lip and palate children

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to determine caries prevalence and oral hygiene status among a group of Saudi cleft lip and palate [CLP] children. A total of 84 cleft children [45 males and 39 females] were examined for dental caries and oral hygiene status. The children were divided into two age groups; Group A with children age one to six years and Group B with children age seven to 14 years. All the children in both age Groups had dental caries. The mean dmft [decayed, missing and filled primary teeth] score in Group A children was 10.54 [SD 4.59] In Group B children, the combined mean dmft/DMFT [decayed, missing and filled primary and permanent teeth] score was 10.92 [SD 4.90] respectively. There was no statistically significant [p>.05] difference observed between the mean dmft/ DMFT scores in relation to age and gender of the cleft children. More than half [54. 7%] of the children had poor oral hygiene. In conclusion; the caries prevalence and severity was high in the studied cleft children. Majority of the children had poor oral hygiene