PLAQUE MATURITY AND PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY MOTHERS DURING TOOTH BRUSHING AMONG DOWN SYNDROME CHILDREN IN THE NORTHEAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Oral health, being an element of general health could be in a compromised state for Down syndrome (DS) individuals due to their limited capability to control dental plaque. Mothers are the important person in ensuring the oral health care of their DS children. The study aimed to determine the presence of matured plaque and problems encountered by the mothers during tooth brushing session.

Materials and Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 85 DS children attending DS centre and 86 normal children from schools in Kota Bharu. Validated questionnaires were given to their mothers.  The dental plaque was collected from the children at interproximal site of the molar teeth and examined using GC plaque and pH check kit. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0.

Result: The mean age for both groups was 9 years old. Most of the DS (91.8%) and non-DS (95.3%) children used ordinary children toothbrush. The matured plaque was not significantly different between DS (81%) and non-DS (87%) children; (p=0.279). Most of the DS mothers (71%) encountered problems while brushing their children’s teeth which related to ‘children turning their head away’ (73.3%) and ‘closing the mouth’ (50%).

Conclusion: Matured plaque was high in both DS and non-DS children regardless the type of toothbrush used. DS mothers encountered most problems especially children turning their head away while practicing routine oral hygiene care to their children. Therefore, mothers must be educated on the proper way of handling their DS children in fulfilling their oral hygiene routine.

Keywords: Down syndrome, matured plaque, toothbrush, disability