engleski

Parental/caregive perception of the oral-health- related quality of life of children with special needs

Background: Compared with the general population, people with disabilities have poorer oral health, which may negatively affect their quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess parents’/caregivers’ perceptions of the impact of oral health on the quality of life of people with special needs who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia and quality of life of their families. Materials and methods: This cross- sectional study included 42 children with special needs (24 women and 18 men) with an average age of 21.14±8.34 years who underwent for dental treatment under general anesthesia. Prior to the intervention, an oral examination was performed to determine the number of teeth affected by caries, and parents/ guardians completed a specially designed questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, children’s oral hygiene and dietary habits, and questions assessing the impact of their children’s oral health on their quality of life. The obtained data were analyzed descriptively and with Spearman’s correlation. Results: Although less than one-third of respondents reported that their children frequently eat sweets and drink sweetened beverages, the average number of carious teeth per participant was 9.74±5.63. About 66% of respondents reported that their children perform oral hygiene with their help, while 9.5% of them do not do so at all. Almost 70% do not use any additional means for oral hygiene. The number of carious lesions correlated positively with difficulty chewing and biting food in individuals with special needs (R=0.409, P=0.007), with the demand for more attention from parents (R=0.393, P=0.010), and with parents’ absence from work (R=0.338, P=0.028). Conclusion: The increase in the number of carious teeth in individuals with special needs has been associated with the quality of life of their families. It is necessary to promote oral health prevention by teaching people with special needs and their parents/guardians the proper techniques for oral hygiene and a diet adapted to their needs.

children with special needs ; dental caries ; oral-health-related quality of life ; parents

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