An Evaluation of the Caries Experience in People with Down Syndrome

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BACKGROUND: Recent literature on the dental health of people with Down syndrome (DS) is scarce. The caries experience of this cohort is also confused with mixed results. AIM: To evaluate the caries experience of people with DS compared to people without DS. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the caries experience was assessed by a crude DMFT score and an adjusted DFT score expressed as a percentage of caries-affected teeth to adjust for hypodontia in the DS group. Multiple logistic and linear regressions were used to compare both groups, controlling for all predictors. RESULTS: Of 44 DS and 84 non-DS subjects, the adjusted DFT showed non-significant differences (p=0.18). The crude DMFT was borderline significant (p=0.06), while people without DS were most likely to have caries compared to the DS group (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.5-14.0). CONCLUSION: Independent of other predictors, the caries experience was greater in people without DS, without adjusting for the number of teeth. However when this factor is considered, the caries experience is the same. AUDIENCE: This study is beneficial for dentists, dental public health professionals, and epidemiologists.