Oral Health Status Among Special Needs Populations in Fiji

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 201 participants from six special needs institutes. Examinations were performed using a modified WHO oral health assessment form. Focus groups were conducted with caregivers. Means of DMFT and CPITN were compared as were proportions for treatment needs.

Results: Mean age of participants was 25 years. Mean permanent DMFT and CPITN among participants were 7.4 and 1.2, respectively. DMFT and CPITN increased with age, but there was no difference by other demographic variables. DMFT and CPITN were higher among those mentally challenged (13 and 2) in comparison with others (5 and 1; p<0.001). This was solely due to participants from the psychiatric hospital (12 and 2). DMFT and CPITN were also elevated among those institutionalized (12 and 2) in comparison with others (3 and 1; p<0.001). This was primarily due to participants from the Old Peoples Home (24 and 4). Among participants, 39% needed extractions, 51% needed fillings, and 57% needed preventive care with a greater need for extractions among those mentally challenged (56%) and those institutionalized (53%) compared to others (31% and 24%; p<0.001). All caregivers reported not receiving any special oral care training, but said they overcome this deficiency through experience and by helping one another (82% and 77%; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Oral health of special needs population in Fiji is poor with an immediate need for extractions and restorations as well as for organized preventive care in the long term. Those from the psychiatric hospital and the Old Peoples Home had more disease. There is a need for caregivers to be trained to provide preventive homecare to the residents.