Oral health behaviours of preschool children with cerebral palsy: a case control community based study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of permanent disorders attributed to non-progressive disturbances in the fetal or infant brain which affects the development of movement and posture. The worldwide prevalence of CP ranges from 1.3 to 3.6/ 1000 live births. AIM: To describe and compare oral health behaviors of preschool children with and without CP, and to assess the oral health knowledge and attitudes of their primary caregivers. DESIGN: Seventy-two preschool children with CP were recruited from 23 Special Child Care Centers in Hong Kong. An age (±3 months) and gender matched sample of children from mainstream preschools were recruited as the ‘control group’. Assessment of children’s oral health behavior as well as primary caregivers’ oral health knowledge and attitudes was conducted. RESULTS: Preschool children with CP were less likely to have ever attended a dentist when compared to children without CP (P < 0.05). Children with CP were more likely to have experience of a general anesthetic for dental treatment when compared with children without CP (P < 0.05). Tooth brushing frequency was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05), but primary caregivers of children with CP more frequently reported providing tooth brushing assistance to their children (P < 0.001). Primary caregivers in both groups had similar oral health knowledge (P > 0.05) and attitudes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Primary caregivers of children with and without CP have similar oral health knowledge and hold similar oral health attitudes. However, differences in oral health behavior exist between preschool children with and without CP; particularly with respect to dental attendance.