Oral health status and behaviour of Greek patients with cleft lip and palate
V. Parapanisiou *, S. Gizani *, M. Makou **, L. Papagiannoulis *
ABSTRACT
AIM: This was to record the oral health profile and more specifically
the prevalence of carious and hypoplastic lesions
in children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP).
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study group consisted
of 41 children and adolescents (4-18 years-old) with
CLP group while a similar number of non-cleft persons (HLP)
matched for sex, age and orthodontic treatment (75.6%),
was used as the control group. Information regarding the oral
health habits, medical and dental history were collected using
a questionnaire. Stimulated saliva was collected to evaluate
the flow rate and buffering capacity as well as the levels
of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli using the chair-test
CRT® (Ivoclar –Vivadent). Oral hygiene (OH) was assessed
using the index of Silness and Loe [1964]. The prevalence
of initial/white spot and cavitated carious lesions as well as
hypoplasia was evaluated based on the criteria by ICDAS
[2005] and Nyvad et al [2008] as well as Koch et al [1987]
respectively. The statistical analysis was carried out using
the t-test and the chi- square test. RESULTS: Approximately
half of the CLP and HLP subjects were brushing their teeth
2 x per day. Both groups reported an average of 3 main and
2 snack meals per day. Levels of mutans streptococci and
lactobacilli as well as the quality of the saliva were similar for
both groups. The plaque index score was significantly higher
in the CLP than in the control group (p=0.0003). The prevalence
of cavitated carious lesions was similar in both groups
but that of the initial/white spot lesions, especially at the
area of maxillary incisors, was higher in the CLP group (85%,
p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The increased numbers of initial/
white spot lesions combined with poor OH found in the CLP
group predispose for an increased risk of further development
to carious cavitated lesions. Taking into consideration
that the majority of those patients were under orthodontic
treatment, the application of an intensive individualized oral
health preventive program, focused on remineralisation of
the initial caries, is imperative.
Key words: cleft lip; cleft palate; oral health; caries; children and adolescents
Eur Archs Paediatr Dent 2009;10(2):85-89.
Depts. of *Paediatric Dentistry and ** Orthodontics, Dental School, University of Athens, Greece.
Postal address: Prof. L. Papagiannoulis. Dept of Paediatric Dentistry,
University of Athens, Thivon 2, Goudi, Athens, 11527,Greece.
Email: lipap@otenet.gr
