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- Title
Oral Health Status and Barriers to Utilization of Dental Services among Adolescent with Learning Disabilities.
- Authors
Zaihan Othman; Normastura Abd. Rahman; Azizah Yusoff; Noorliza Mastura Ismail
- Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and utilization of dental services among the learning disabled (LD) adolescents. Design: A cross sectional study. Methods: Hundred and twenty five (125) randomly selected LD adolescent attending special classes in schools of Kota Bharu were selected. Data on sociodemographic profiles were obtained and DMFT index were used to evaluate dental caries prevalence and caries experience. This evaluation was done by clinical examination based on visual examination of the dentition using mouth mirror and good lighting. The utilization of oral health services were measured by using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: Prevalence of caries was 59.2% (95% CI: 50.0%, 68.0%). DMFT score for the group was 3.0 (IQR 6.5). Fear of dental treatment (70.7%) was the highest reason preventing parents from seeking treatment for their LD adolescent. Conclusions: LD adolescent shows a high prevalence of dental caries but very low in caries experience. This is due to the barrier related to dental fear factor that have been prevented them from seeking the dental treatment.
- Subjects
CONFIDENCE intervals; DENTAL care; DENTAL caries; HEALTH services accessibility; PEOPLE with intellectual disabilities; PEOPLE with disabilities; DISEASE prevalence; CROSS-sectional method
- Publication
International Medical Journal, 2016, Vol 23, Issue 2, p182
- ISSN
1341-2051
- Publication type
Article