Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Nikhil Patel.
nikbds1@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Background:  Children with hearing disability can neither hear well even with a hearing aid nor understand speech without specific instructions. Such children have difficulty in living their normal life and demands for healthy life. Aim: To assess the oral health in Children with Hearing and Speech Impairment (HSI) using Oral Health status Assessment Tool and Caries Assessment Tool in Vadodara city.  Methodology: A cross-sectional institutional survey was implicated among the speech and hearing impaired children who attended special school in Vadodara city. A total 174 speech and hearing impaired children were selected as per the inclusion criteria. Prior written permission and consent was obtained from the participant’s parents. The oral hygiene practices of deaf and dumb children were recorded through a sign language by teachers. Oral Hygiene Assessment Tool and Caries Assessment Tool were recorded by the principal investigator.  Result: Sixty seven percent had gingival inflammation and 59.8% had normal tongue. 55.2% had 1-3 decayed or broken teeth, 16.1% had unhealthy natural teeth. 78.7% of HSI children had change in oral hygiene.  According to Caries Assessment Tool, 63.2% were in high caries risk group, 20.7% in low caries risk group and 16.1% in moderate caries risk group. Conclusion: Oral health status of HSI child showed high risk caries with CAT and poor oral health status with gingivitis according to OHAT.

Keywords: Auditory impairment, oral health, OHAT, CAT.