Oral health status of special health care needs children attending a day care centre in Chennai

Introduction: Oral health is an important aspect of health for all children and is all the more important for children with special needs. Aim: To evaluate the oral health status of special health need children at Vidya Sudha, a day care centre in Chennai. Materials and Method: A modified WHO oral health assessment form was used to assess the caries experience, gingival, and oral hygiene status. Result: Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square test. No statistical significant differences were found between the evaluated groups regarding age or gender, and medical conditions. Conclusion: Majority of the children had poor oral hygiene, showing high caries prevalence as well as moderate gingivitis.