ABSTRACT
Introduction Oral health significantly influences functions such as chewing, swallowing, and overall well-being. Children with neuropsychiatric disorders (NPD) often experience compromised oral functions, escalating their risk of malnutrition. Materials and methods Our study, conducted in Varna, Bulgaria, from April to October 2017, aimed to evaluate some components of the oral health of 49 children with NPD and its relation to their motor impairments. In the studied cohort, participants were categorized based on their Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scores into two groups: minor limitations (ML), encompassing GMFCS levels 1-3, and gross limitations (GL), which included GMFCS levels 4-5. Comprehensive oral examinations were conducted by a trained dentist. Data analysis utilized the JAMOVI v.2.2.2.0 software with a 0.05 significance threshold. Results Preliminary findings indicate that children with more pronounced motor limitations have poorer oral health compared to their mildly impaired counterparts. A mere 14.3% (n=7) of the children with NPD had recorded dental visits. The data show that 18.2% (n=6) of ML children had at least an annual dental consultation, while only a single child (6.2%) from the GL group had a dental visit, leaving a staggering 93.8% (n=15) without any. Statistical analyses indicate a significant relationship between motor activity (MA) and toothbrushing frequency (r=0.529, p=0.0001), suggesting that children with better MA have improved chances of maintaining oral hygiene. A significant correlation was observed between dental visits and toothbrushing frequency (r=0.371, p=0.0007). Conclusion Given their challenges, children with NPD require increased attention to dental care, emphasizing regular checkups and preventive oral health measures. This study prompts a reevaluation of these care standards.
