ORAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF DENTAL CARIES EXPERIENCE, PERIODONTAL HEALTH, AND DENTAL FLUOROSIS IN A ROMANIAN POPULATION

Authors

  • Georgiana-Brandusa BARZAGHIDEANU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • Magda Calina BARLEAN Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • R. C. BURCULET Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • C. I. LUPU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • A. GEORGESCU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • M. COCU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • Monica Mihaela SCUTARIU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22551/

Keywords:

ORAL HEALTH, DISABILITIES, DENTAL CARIES, PERIODONTAL STATUS, DENTAL FLUOROSIS

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities experience oral health inequalities because disability-related limitations and barriers to care may compromise prevention and treatment. This study evaluated dental caries experience, periodontal health, and dental fluorosis among individuals with disabilities in Iași, Romania. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 107 participants aged 17-62 years with physical or locomotor, visual, auditory, intellectual, or psychological disabilities. Dental status was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth and Surfaces indices (DMFT and DMFS). Gingival and periodontal conditions were evaluated using the Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), while fluorosis was recorded using Dean’s Index. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed with SPSS version 26.0. Results: Mean DMFT was 9.75 ± 4.52 and mean DMFS was 14.38 ± 8.24, indicating considerable caries experience. Filled teeth and surfaces predominated, whereas tooth loss was limited. Participants with visual disabilities had the highest mean DMFT (11.75), while those with visual and intellectual disabilities had the highest DMFS values (15.25 and 15.00, respectively). Mean SBI was 13.72 ± 12.33. Only 20.6% of participants were periodontally healthy; calculus was the predominant CPITN finding (61.7%), bleeding occurred in 15.0%, and pockets up to 5 mm in 2.8%. Normal enamel was present in 94.4%, and no moderate or severe fluorosis was identified. Conclusions: Participants exhibited substantial caries experience and frequent periodontal treatment needs, dominated by calculus accumulation rather than advanced periodontal destruction. 

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Additional Files

Published

2026-09-28

Issue

Vol. 130 No. 3 (2026): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

DENTAL MEDICINE

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