Background

  Data on the oral situation of young people with intellectual disabilities are scarce, especially data of children from a developing country.

 Aim

  To describe and to evaluate the oral treatment needs of Special Olympics Special Smiles Athletes in Indonesia between 2004 and 2009.

 Design

  A cross-sectional study data were collected through interviews and clinical examinations using the Special Olympics Special Smiles CDC protocol. Participants Indonesian Special Smiles athletes their mean age was 13.46 years ± 2.97.

 Results

 More than 70% of athletes had visible untreated decay. Almost 30% (29.8%) of the athletes had gingival inflammation. Pain in the oral cavity was reported by 28.6%. Athletes who had untreated decay reported 6.67 times (95% CI OR 4.00–11.14) more pain compared to those who did not have untreated decay. Athletes living in provinces on Java Island had 1.54 times (95% CI OR 1.15–2.07) more untreated decay compared to the athletes who live in provinces in outer Java Island. 21.63% of the screened athletes were referred to the dentist for urgent treatment.

 Conclusion

  The results suggest that there is an elevated oral treatment need in Indonesian Special Smiles population.

 Source: International Journal of ‍ Pediatric Dentistry

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