Oral Health Conditions and Treatment Needs of Children with Intellectual Disabilities Attending Special Olympics Australia.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and evaluate the oral health status and dental treatment needs of children with intellectual disabilities attending Special Olympics in Australia from 2010 to 2018.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Children aged 18 years and younger with intellectual disabilities attending Special Olympics with their caregivers were screened between 2010 and 2018. Trained volunteer dentists performed the screening using the standardized Special Olympics Special Smiles protocol. Reported findings included presence or absence of untreated decay, filled teeth, missing teeth, trauma, fluorosis, and gingivitis as well as treatment urgency.
Results: A total of 155 children with a mean age of 15 years participated in the dental screening in 2010, 2014, and 2018. Twelve percent reported oral pain, 15 percent needed urgent care, 21 percent had untreated caries, 39 percent had filled teeth, 39 percent had missing teeth, 59 percent had signs of gingival disease, 8.4 percent had fluorosis, and 13 percent had dental trauma. Mouthguards were recommended for 17 percent of child athletes. Missing teeth and filled teeth were significantly lower in 2014 compared to 2010 and 2018 (P <0.001).
Conclusion: The burden of the untreated caries was not high in athletes attending the Special Olympics in Australia.