Oral health assessment among a sample of patients with brain paralysis

Objectives: Providing health care to individuals with special needs requires adequate knowledge, skills and facilities to allow the care of these patients. The aim of this study consisted in the assessment the oral health among a sample of patients with brain paralysis. Methods: This study is an observational cross-sectional study using a convenience sample, including 29 individuals attending a clinic at the Brain Paralysis Association of Viseu (APCV), Portugal. An intra-oral examination was performed to analyze the decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth index (DMFT index) and the Silness & Loe plaque index. A self-administered questionnaire was applied to each caregiver of the participant in the study. Results: Patient mean age was 33.14±10.54. It was observed that the mean value of DMFT was 7.79±8.38, ranging from 0 to 32 teeth with carie experience. Regarding plaque index, the mean value was 7.65±5.09, with values varying between 0 and 18 teeth with accumulation of dental bacterial plaque. As difficulties to attend a dental appointment, 25% refer that the dental appointments are expensive, 41.7% had difficulty finding a specialized dental practitioner, 45.8% said that they were denied dental treatment, 12.5% did not feel the need to visit the dentist, and 16.7% have travelling difficulties.
Conclusions: The APCV is aware to the need of regular dental appointments. However, specific oral health promotion and primary prevention strategies should be defined to improve oral hygiene and oral health of these patients.