Comparative Evaluation of Dental Caries in Asthmatic and Asthma-free Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Brij Kumar, Alok Avinash, Nilotpol Kashyap, Meenakshi Sharma, Harsha Munot, Mylavarapu Krishna Sagar, Amit Kumar
2017 International Journal of Preventive and Clinical Dental Research  
Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of dental caries in asthmatic children of age group 5 to 16 years and to evaluate and compare the dental caries status among asthmatic and asthma-free children. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 200 children aged 5 to 16 years. The participants were divided into two groups. The study group included 100 asthmatic children/adolescent diagnosed with asthma attended the local hospitals. Asthma-free group
more » ... composed of 100 asthma-free children⁄adolescents recruited in two public schools. The details on asthma severity were obtained from patient's records, by consulting the pediatrician treating these children or by interviewing their parents/caregivers. Dental caries status was assessed using DMFT and dmft indices. Chi-square and independent Student's t-test used for statistical analysis of data. Results: The prevalence of dental caries in the asthmatic children, for permanent dentition was 28% and primary teeth caries experience was 67% and the result was statistically significant. Asthmatic children had a higher mean DMFT (0.54 ± 0.82)/dmft (2.74 ± 2.59) score. There was statistically significant difference existed for DMFT among five drug forms (chi-square = 60.437; p-value = 0.001). No significant differences were encountered in anti-asthmatic drugs and DMFT/dmft. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dental caries in both permanent and deciduous teeth in asthmatic children. Children given beta 2 agonists, inhaler form of antiasthmatic medication are at a higher risk of developing caries in their teeth. Physicians and dentists should recommend preventive measures against caries for children with asthma.
doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10052-0088 fatcat:ejrhir26i5eojnqg4lj5r2b344