Comparison Of Caries Status Of Visually Impaired With Hearing Impaired Children In Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the dental health status in relation to the diet and tooth brushing habits of visually impaired children with hearing impaired individuals, aged between 6-20 years in Karachi, Pakistan. It is important because dental health is an integral part of general body health and this group is mostly deprived of its basic health care needs.
Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was conducted among 400 individuals in which participants were grouped according to their visual and hearing disability (200 each), aged 6-20 years in 3 special institutes belonging to different socio-economic areas of Karachi, Pakistan, namely Pakistan Association of the Blind (National), Jahangir Siddiqui Academy for the Deaf and Ida Rieu School and College for Deaf and Blind.
The study was based on two parts:First included a predesigned questionnaire to judge demographics, dietary and tooth brushing habits. Second part included an oral examination for assessment of caries status using DMFT index in permanent teeth and dft index in primary teeth. The questionnaire was completed using verbal communication for visually impaired individuals and sign language in case of hearing impaired children.
Results: An individual’s ability to brush, consumption of sugary food in diet, use of oral hygiene aids, tobacco consumption and the periodontal status were also recorded.
The overall result showed that 66% of the blind individuals and 80% of the deaf individuals had never visited a dentist before.
The dmft score for the deaf was 53% whereas for the blind it was 67% hence showing the limitations that the blind have in maintaining a good oral hygiene.
Conclusions: Visually impaired individuals experience more caries and dental health issues as compared to the deaf individuals.