Down’s Syndrome Patients Behavior Has No Correlation to Periodontal Disease

Objectives: There is a higher prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in Down’s Syndrome (DS) patients. This study aimed at correlating global behavior of DS patients to periodontal status.
Methods: This research was approved by Bauru School of Dentistry Ethical Committee in Human Research (#14045513.5.0000.5417). Behavior was evaluated (n=14/age 28.35±9.6) by an expert after a dental health education activity (16 topics/scores=0,1,2). Periodontal status was evaluated clinically (n=14, full mouth) by means of probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival index (GI). Data were statistically analyzed (Pearson’s, Spearman’s correlation, p<0.05).
Results: There was no correlation between behavior and periodontal status (p>0.05). The main results of behavior analysis were an inverse correlation (age x speech, r=-0.585) and a positive correlation (visual reinforcement x interaction to evaluator r=0.848). When considering periodontal evaluation, there was an inverse correlation between age and number of teeth (r=-0.677). There was a positive correlation (age x severity of periodontal disease (r=0.669)/ age x PD (r=0.746)/ severity of periodontal disease x PD (r=0.822)/ BOP x GI (r=0.960)/ PD x GI (r=0.614).
Conclusions: In conclusion, SD patients’ behavior has no influence on their periodontal disease status.