Prevention of dental caries in children with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: to study the effectiveness of dental caries prevention of children with Down syndrome. Sixteen children with Down syndrome (DS) aged 7 to 16 years were included in the case-control study. Indices of dental caries prevalence (DMFT) and caries experience were studied, caries risk assessment was performed by applying Cariogram software. Dental caries (DC) prevention measures included: health education, guided oral cavity hygiene and topical applications of fluoride preparations. To the subjects of the research group (L₁, nr=8) topically was applied solution Gluftored, Vladmiva, that containing nanofluorides, and to the children of the control group (L₀, nr=8) was applied the fluoride varnish Belak-F, Vladmiva. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and was conducted after obtaining written consent from the children’s parents or their legal representatives. Implementation of complex preventive measures over 2 years to children with DS in L₁ provided statistically significant reduction of dental caries and caries risk indicators in comparison with the L₀ group. Conclusions: The superior efficacy of complex preventive measures including topical applications of nanofluoride was demonstrated.