Oral Health Status and Oral Health Care in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Disease at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Abstract

Background and objective: Children with cardiac disease require special dental care. The objectives of this study were to determine oral health status and oral health care in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University.

Methods : This cross – sectional study was conducted during January to October, 2007 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University.  A total of 113 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease volunteered to participate in this study. Data were collected from medical records, questionnaires and oral examination records. The oral health status was recorded using the DMFT Index, Plaque Index, Gingival Index and Calculus index.  Oral examination used mouth  mirror, explorer and periodontal probe.

Results : The average age of the subjects was 8.4± 4.0 years old (3 – 17 years). The prevalence rate of dental caries was 89.4 %. Decay, missing and filling of deciduous teeth (dmft) were of 5.9 ± 5.9 teeth/person. Decay, missing and filling of permanent teeth (DMFT) were of  2.0 ± 2.6 teeth/person. Plaque Index was the average of  1.4 ± 0.5. Gingival Index  was the average of  1.3 ± 0.4. Calculus Index was the average of  0.6 ± 0.6. They regularly ate between meals which increased risk of dental caries  such as : beverage, snack and candy. No cleaning after between meals was 78.7 %, supplement receiving  fluoride32.7 % and visit dentist 44.3 %.

Conclusion : The prevalence of dental caries in this study was high and need for restorative care

Key words : oral health status, congenital heart disease