Oral Health Status of Children with Congenital Cardiac Disease

OBJECTIVES: Children with congenital heart disease are at risk of developing infective endocarditis which may be life threatening whenever they undergo dental treatment. Apart from the detrimental effects of neglected oral care to which the general public is exposed, children with congenital cardiac disease are at a double risk because neglected oral care could worsen their already delicate medical condition. Therefore a high level of dental care is recommended for these children. This paper aims to determine the oral health status of these children. METHODS: All the children attending the Paediatric Cardiology Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital from March to July 2003 were examined. Caries was diagnosed using the WHO criteria 1997. Debris (plaque) scores of Greene and Vermillion and CPITN index were used. RESULTS: A total of 41 children aged between 4 months and 18 years were seen (mean age 5.02 + 4.82) were seen, but four of these children were edentulous and were excluded from the analysis. 75.7% of these children were caries free the DMFT was made up largely by the D component. The oral hygiene status of these children is poor.14 (38.7%) has gingivitis, 2(5.4%) had periodontitis and 19 (31.4%) of the children needed scale and polish. CONCLUSION: The oral health of these children is neglected and needs urgent attention. The children with congenital heart disease should receive regular preventive and restorative dental care. Parents and caregivers should be educated on the high standard of dental care needed to prevent dental disease and its sequelae. There is need for active collaboration between the dental team and the cardiologist to provide adequate dental care for these children.