Perception of parents/caregivers on the oral health of children/adolescents with Down syndrome.

INTRODUCTION

Oral health affects the general health of people with Down syndrome (DS), with repercussions on their ability to chew and to communicate.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and clinical indicators on the perceptions of parents/caregivers regarding the oral health of individuals with DS.

METHODS

Parents/caregivers completed a questionnaire containing sociodemographic information and answered the 20 questions of the Brazilian version of the Oral Health Scale for People with DS. Intra-oral clinical exam of children/adolescents was performed to assess dental caries, periodontal disease, and malocclusion. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and Poisson regression model analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

In this study, 55.1% of the parents/caregivers showed a positive perception regarding the oral health of their children/adolescents. Parents/caregivers of individuals between 4 and 9 years old (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1.13; Confidence Interval (CI), 1.04 - 1.23; p = 0.003) and parents/caregivers of those with definite malocclusion (PR = 1.14; CI, 1.00 - 1.31; p = 0.047) had a higher prevalence of reporting a more negative perception of their children's/adolescents' oral health.

CONCLUSION

DS individuals' age and the severity of malocclusion were indicators of a more negative perception of parents/caregivers regarding their sons'/daughters' oral health.