Investigation of caries prevalence in children with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in children with orofacial clefts.

PATIENTS: A total of 623 children aged 6-16 years with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate were included in the study. They were compared with 47,646 schoolchildren from Leipzig (Germany).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used the standard dental indices dmf(t) and DMF(T) for clinical assessment. Children underwent a dental examination under standard conditions of seating and lighting in the out-patient department of paediatric dentistry as part of a regular checkup.

RESULTS

The prevalence of caries was significantly higher in children with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate in permanent and deciduous teeth.

CONCLUSION

These assessments not only provide a baseline for oral health parameters in young patients with clefts, but also underline the need for a more aggressive approach to the prevention of oral disease to optimize clinical outcome.