Abstract

DAVILA, María E et al. Oral health of mentally retarded persons in four counties of lara state (venezuela), 2003 . Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2005, vol.43, n.3, pp.275-281. ISSN 0001-6365.

Abstract An investigation was conducted to determine the oral health and general characteristics of the mentally retarded (MR) people in four counties at the State of Lara.  A multi-stage sampling design was used, selecting randomly 15 out of 88 special education schools.  The sample was conformed by 155 subjects who filled the inclusion criteria.  Previous authorization, parents were interviewed and the persons with MR were examined.  The mean age was 14,6±7,11, and the mean age of the mother at the time of delivery was 29,03±7,26.  Most of the people belong to blue collar social status (60,6%).  The most common type of MR was mild (32,9%).  Regarding oral health, 65,2% of the persons had dental caries.  Sixty four point five percent (64,5%) had gingival signs.  Urgent treatment was needed by 24,5% of the participants.  Statistical significant difference was found between socioeconomic status and dental health service (p=0,017), and between type of MR and gingival signs (p=0,04).  From these results one may conclude that the participants show a poor oral health, most of them belong to the lower social class, therefore public dental health services must be equipped, and their personnel trained for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of this population at risk

Keywords : Mental Retardation; Down Syndrome; Graffar; Dental Caries; Gingival Signs.