The relationship between oral and demographic characteristics of children with asthma.

The information from 291 children's dental charts was analyzed; 127 children had no mental or systemic diseases, 50 had asthma and 114 had other diseases. Children with systemic diseases in general and those with asthma had a higher prevalence of history of toothaches and higher plaque, calculus and caries indices than the healthy children. Children with systemic diseases in general and those with asthma in particular should be targeted for preventive dental services.