Aim and objective: To assess the oral health status of special health care needs children, adequacy of awareness on oral hygiene among their parents, and recognition of the critical role of teachers as oral health moderators.
Materials and methods: This study included 78, 4–15 years aged children of Government Special Schools, Sangareddy. Both parents and teachers took part in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was given to their parents, OHI-S score and DMFT/deft score of the children were noted followed by a dental health awareness program through customized charts and models.
Results: Out of 78 children, 89% of their parents showed a lack of awareness in providing dental care for their children. Only 6% visited a dental surgeon previously. 69% had treatment needs.
Conclusion: Communication plays an important role in bringing a change in the knowledge and rendering dental care for specially-abled children and actively promoting oral health care in the school curriculum.
Makkar A, Indushekar KR, Saraf BG, et al. A cross sectional study to evaluate the oral health status of children with intellectual disabilities in the National Capital Region of India (Delhi-NCR). JIDR 2019;63(1):31–39. DOI: 10.1111/jir.12553
Shah AH, Mustafa N, Khan MS, et al. Oral health knowledge and attitude among caregivers of special needs patients at a comprehensive rehabilitation centre: an analytical study. Ann Stomatol (Roma) 2017;8(3):110–116. DOI: 10.11138/ads/2017.8.3.110
Dinesh R, Hegde A, Munshi AK. Oral hygiene status of disabled children and adolescents attending special schools of South Canara India. Hong Kong Dental J 2005;(2):107–113. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215563194_Oral_hygiene_status_of_disabled_children_attending_special_schools_of_South_Canara_India
Maganur PC, Satish V, Marwah N, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of school teachers toward oral health in Davangere, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):89–95. DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1413
Shenoy RP, Sequeira PS. Effectiveness of a school dental education program in improving oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices and status of 12 to 13 year old students. Indian J Dent Res 2010;21(2):253–259. DOI: 10.4103/0970-9290.66652
Lamba R, Rajvanshi H, Sheikh Z, et al. Oral hygiene needs of special children and the effects of supervised tooth brushing. Int J Sci Stud 2015;3(5):30–35. DOI: 10.17354/ijss/2015/342
Areias CM, Sampaio-Maia B, Guimaraes H, et al. Caries in Portuguese children with down syndrome. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2011;66:1183–1186. DOI: 10.1590/S1807-59322011000700010
Al Habashneh R, Al Jundi S, Khader Y, et al. Oral health status and reasons for not attending dental care among 12- to 16-year-old children with down syndrome in special needs centres in Jordan. Int J Dent Hygiene 2012;10:259–264. DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2012.00545.x
Jain A, Thakur S, Singhal P, et al. Oral health status and treatment needs of children and young adults attending a day centre for Individuals with special health care needs in shimla. Int J Dent Med Res 2015;1(6):32–36. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6831-8-30
