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Caries experience in individuals with cerebral palsy in relation to oromotor dysfunction and dietary consistency
Author(s) -
Santos Maria Teresa Botti Rodrigues,
Guare Renata Oliveira,
Celiberti Paula,
Siqueira Walter Luiz
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2009.00092.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cerebral palsy , motor dysfunction , motor function , rehabilitation , pediatrics , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , disease
The aim of this study was to investigate caries experience in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) who have oromotor dysfunction and relate it to age and dietary consistency. Noninstitutionalized individuals with CP (n = 108) aged 4–19 years (mean: 10 years, 1 month ± SD 4 years, 5 months) were recruited for this study. Subjects who were severely impaired (35.2%) had orofacial motor dysfunction most frequently, followed by those who were slightly affected (27.7%), moderately affected (20.4%), and very slightly affected (16.7%). Age was a statistically significant factor for oromotor dysfunction ( p = 0.007), with the youngest individuals having the most severe oromotor problems. Dietary consistency and oromotor function were statistically significant influence on the DMF index ( p = 0.0352). The highest total DMF values were measured for individuals who were severely impaired and also the youngest, as well as for those receiving liquid diets. Early rehabilitation, intervention, and prevention are important for these individuals.