Caries prevalence of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence in Johannesburg suggests that the burden of oral health disease, especially dental caries, is significantly higher in children with special health needs than in healthy children. This study sought to determine the dental caries prevalence of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to determine: (1) demographic characteristics of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, (2) the dental caries status of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, and (3) treatment needs of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg; to (4) compare dental caries status and treatment needs of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg with those revealed by the National Children’s Oral Health Survey (NCOHS); and to (5) To determine the association between type of disability and dental caries status. Results: The mean age was 10.5 years of age, with the majority being males (64.97%). The dental caries prevalence was 27.55% in the primary dentition and 33.56% in the permanent dentition. Cerebral palsy and Hearing impaired groups had higher dental caries prevalence. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that children with special health care needs as a group have lower caries prevalence in both the primary and permanent dentition compared to the general population in the NCOHS. They also have high unmet treatment needs regardless of the type of disability.