Oral health status,Malocclusions and S. Mutans counts in children with Down's syndrome

Down syndrome (ds),as a genetic disorder,has been known as a contributing factor increased prevalence of oral cavity's diseases,such malocclusions,soft tissue disorders and periodontal involvement,but surprisingly not to dental caries experience. this group of subjects has been the target of our investigation regarding the dental caries,malocclusions and periodontal status. the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries,the presence of malocclusions,oral hygiene index,and the level of cariogenic bacteria,among children with down's syndrome (ds) in kosovo. sixty-five children with ds were examined for dental caries,orthodontic anomalies,oral hygiene and periodontal status. caries experience was determined using dmft/dmft indexes according to the who criteria. the ohi was determined using the plaque test. to determine the presence of s. mutans,the crt bacteria test was used. the total mean dmft of 3.82 was recorded,with no significant difference between gender. a higher dmft was found in the age group 12-18 years of ds children. subjects with cfu > 105 had higher dmft. gingivitis was present in 65% of the subjects. the prevalence of periodontal disease was 43%,while the ohi-index of grade 3 was found in 18,5% of subjects. more than half of the examined ds children had one of malocclusions,e.g.,hypodontia. periodontal treatment is not evident. the low caries treatment was found with 74% of the dmft structure belonging to the untreated caries. low level of the oral status of the ds children should raise the awareness of the dentistry policy makers to undertake stronger measures in dealing with this category of children.