Prevalence of Malocclusion among Children with Special Health Care Needs and the Awareness of Their Parents towards Pediatric Orthodontic Care

Aims: Children with special health care needs often have poor oral health and depend on caregivers for oral care. This study looked at the prevalence of malocclusion among a group of such children and the awareness of pediatric orthodontic care among their parents

Methodology: Clinical examination of 100 children aged 7-18 years who were physically/ mentally challenged or with speech or hearing deficits was carried out in a school. A validated questionnaire was given to 52 parents

Results: Class I malocclusion was seen in 77.8%, Class II in 6.1% and Class III in 8.1%. Other findings were anterior crowding (43%), spacing (19%), deep bite (12%), open bite (6%) and cross bite (10%). Class I malocclusion was most common in all the three groups (p=0.144); physically challenged (73.3%), mentally challenged (82.8%), speech and hearing disorders (76.4%). Other abnormalities in the above groups in order with the ‘p” value are as follows.; spacing (12.5%,31%,14.5%,p=0.144); crowding (50%,37.9%,43.6%,p=0.729); open bite (6.3%,6.9%,5.5%,p=0.790); deep bite (18.8%,0%,16.4%,p=0.060). 69.2% of the parents were not aware of these abnormalities. Due to malalignment, 57.7% of the parents were not able to maintain oral hygiene. Though 53.8% preferred correction, only 51% were aware of the treatment options. The reasons for not obtaining treatment were the cost (55.1%), coping issues (24.5%) and lack of access (8.2%).

Conclusion: Some form of malocclusion is prevalent in children with special health care needs, Class I malocclusion, anterior crowding and spacing being more common. Majority of the parents were not aware of the abnormalities and the barriers to treatment were affordability, lack of access and the coping issues. Creating awareness among caretakers and making the treatment more accessible will improve oral health of children with special care needs.