Oral health conditions in a group of down patients

Objective: The aim of this study has been to evaluate the oral health status in patients suffering from Down's Syndrome living both within their families and institutionalized structures. Methods: Among the recruited patients, in total 160 subjects aged between 20 and 24, 83 were taking part to the Olympic Games (Caorle, June 2002). DMFT and CPITN have been used as epidemiologic parameters in conformity with the World Health Organization standards. Results: The index of caries experience has resulted to be DMFT=6,67 (D=3,00; M=0,99; F=2,68). The periodontal conditions examination has evidenced the following CPTIN values: healthy=26,69%, gingival bleeding=1,50%, calculus=41,35%, 4-5mm periodontal pockets=13,90%, deep periodontal pockets=3,00%, excluded patients for edentulism=13,56%. Sextants: healthy=3.01, gingival bleeding=0,13, calculus=1,58, 4-5mm pockets=0,28, deep pockets=0,03, excluded sextants for edentulism=0,97. A presence of dental agenesia has been diagnosed with an incidence of 15,90% (incisors=60%, canines=12%, premolars=20%, molars=8%). The presence of soft oral pathologies has been observed, most of them has resulted to be fissured tongue and macroglossia corresponding to a respectively incidence of 39,70% and 19,20%. Discussion: Macroglossia has been considered as a preventive factor against the calculus deposits located on the lingual surface of the lower dentition. Data relative to epidemiologic indexes DMFT and CPITN of the patients suffering from Down's Syndrome have been compared with the same indexes of a group of military recruits. This comparison shows that there are differences in the values of DMFT (DMFT Down subjects=6,67; military recruits=5,23) and CPITN. These disparities are caused by a low oral hygiene level in the Down patients. Conclusions: It has resulted essential for Down Patients to receive regular odontoiatric cares and suitable instructions in order to maintain an adequate level of oral hygiene since a childish age. It would be appropriate to combine it a correct fluorine prophylaxis, so that to avoid the beginning of dental caries.