Oral health status and treatment needs of children with congenital cardiac disease in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Dental treatment for Children with congenital heart disease carries the risk of infective endocarditis. This paper aims to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of these children. Study participants and methods: All children with congenital heart disease attending the Paediatric Cardiology Clinic, Lagos University Teaching Hospital over three months were examined. Caries was diagnosed using the WHO criteria. Debris scores of Greene and Vermillion and CPI index were used. Results: Forty-one children (4 months -18 years, mean age 5.02 + 4.82) were seen. Four edentulous children were excluded from the analysis, the final study population was therefore 37, of which 78.4% were caries free. Fourteen (37.8%) had gingivitis, 2 (5.4%) had periodontitis while nineteen (51.4%) needed cause related periodontal therapy. The children had poor oral hygiene. Conclusion: The oral health of these children needs urgent attention. Parents/caregivers should be educated on the high standard of dental care.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease, oral health status, caries, periodontitis, treatment needs.

Tanzania Dental Journal Vol. 14 (2) 2007: pp. 65-68