Parental Perception of Oral Health and Oral Health Status of Pediatric Craniofacial Patients

Abstract Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the oral health status and parental perception of oral health needs of pediatric patients with craniofacial anomalies in an urban American craniofacial center. Design: This research utilized a cross-sectional matched study design. The data was collected prospectively via clinical oral examinations and evaluation criteria included dental caries experience oral hygiene status, and gingival health status. Setting: The study was conducted at two different sites which included the Pediatric Dentistry Department, College of Dentistry (COD), UIC and the University of Illinois Health (UI Health) Craniofacial Center (CFC) Patients/Participants: Participants were recruited from UI Health CFC and UIC COD. Main Outcome Measure(s): The outcome measures were the oral health status and parental perception thereof. Results: CFC patients showed high rate of caries experience in primary teeth that was significantly lower than that of a healthy matched cohort, but statistically similar in permanent teeth.. CFC patients had significantly higher unmet dental treatment . CFC patients had poor oral hygiene and were shown to have significantly higher plaque levels than that of a healthy matched cohort. Other metrics of oral health and parental perception of oral health were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Patients in our study in an urban CFC were found to have a higher unmet dental and worse oral hygiene. Despite the oral health statues being worse, parents of children with craniofacial anomalies did perceive their oral health as different from a matched cohort of patients without these conditions.