Oral Health Problems, Behaviours and Functions in Tanzanian Disabled Children

Objectives: To determine the occurrence of oral health problems, oral health related behaviours and functional characteristics in Tanzanian children with disabilities.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 384 disabled children from the Dar es Salaam region in Tanzania. Children were grouped into those with Neuropsychological, Sensory and Physical disabilities. Children were clinically examined to detect their oral health problems and functional characteristics. Interviews were conducted to their parents/teachers/caretakers using structured-questionnaires, with questions enquiring about children’s oral health related behaviours. Data was analyzed by SPSS program version 20.0. Statistical significance of the associations was assessed by Chi-square test, with the p-value set at p<0.05.
Results: Majority of children were; males (60.4%), between 12-17 years (59.6%) and having sensory disabilities (45.1%). As regards oral health problems, toothache existed in 50.5%, 46.4% and 42.8% of children with physical, neuropsychological and sensory disabilities, respectively. Another problem was having ulcers in the mouth; this was recorded in 26.8%, 13.1% and 15.6% of children with neuropsychological, physical and sensory disorders, respectively. Concerning oral health related behaviours, more than 50% of children reported to brush only once daily and more than 60% had never been to a dentist. Regarding functional characteristics and oral-habits, these were observed more (p<0.005) in children with neuropsychological disorders. Oral-habits were detected in 27.7%, 16.2% and 4.6% of children with neuropsychological, physical and sensory disabilities, respectively. Lip-incompetence was present in 28.3%, 39.3% and 23.7% of children with physical, neuropsychological and sensory disabilities, respectively. Swallowing problems were seen in 12.1%, 16.1% and 4.6% of physical, neuropsychological and sensory disabled children, respectively.
Conclusions: Oral health problems found in children with disabilities was mostly dental caries. Many children reported to brush only once a day and revealed a poor dental attendance. Negative functional characteristics were significantly found in children with neuropsychological disorders.