Oral Conditions in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center

Resident’s Name: Craig Elice Date: 5/07/2010
Article title: Oral Conditions in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Author(s): Rodrigues MTB,Masiero D, Novo NF., et al
Journal: J Dent Child. 70: 40-46
Month, Year: 2003
Major topic: CP and prevalence of dental caries, plaque index, time of eruption of permanent teeth, malocclusion, bruxism and oral skills.
Type of Article: Research article
Purpose: This article evaluates the prevalence of dental caries, plaque index, time of eruption of permanent teeth, malocclusion, bruxism in a group of children with Cerebral Palsy compared to normal children.
Overview of method of research: 62 children with CP and 67 controls were subdivided into mixed or permanent dentition as well as gender and evaluated for dental caries, plaque index, time of eruption, malocclusion,bruxism and oral skills to detect issues related to chewing and swallowing. Oral skills were evaluated by speech therapist relating to how children performed sucking, biting/breathing functions, and presence of residual food during eating.
Results and Discussion: In the study, 68% of CP children had spastic quadriplegia or spastic diplegia. Children with CP had significantly more decayed and missing surfaces and higher DMFS scores in the 12-16 year old patients, while the younger group was not significantly different.. Dental plaque was significantly higher in both females and males in the permanent dentition group. Although not significant, there was a tendency for delayed eruption of permanent molars in the CP group. There was a significantly higher percentage of malocclusion in females in the mixed CP group, as well as males in the older group, mostly described as Class II anterior open bite. Males in the older group with CP had significantly higher reports of bruxism.. Presence of residual food and mouth breathing were significantly higher in the CP group. It was thought that higher caries rate in permanent dentition of the CP group was related to higher presence of residual food
Conclusion: the conclusions are described in the results
Assessment of article: Good article with no surprising conclusions.