Salivary and dental plaque composition in disabled children who require home care: A cross-sectional investigation

• Published in: Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 336 - 344
• Main Authors: França, Kamilla, Cintra, Guilherme, Cardoso-Sousa, Léia, Washington da Silva, Herval, A, Sabino-Silva, Robinson, Turrioni, Ana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mumbai Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.05.2022; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Carbohydrates; Children; Children with disabilities; Collagen; Comorbidity; Dental plaque; Fourier transforms; Hygiene; Hyperplasia; Infrared spectroscopy; Lipids; Oral hygiene; Original; Saliva; Toothbrushing
• ISSN: 2231-0762; 2250-1002
• DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_296_21

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare salivary and dental plaque (DP) composition between disabled children who require home care (DCHC) and a control group (CG) and to correlate it with oral and systemic health factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 15 DCHC and 15 healthy children (aged between 4 and 10 years). The caregivers answered a questionnaire on disease diagnosis, medical history, dental history, and oral hygiene routine. In addition to clinical examination, saliva and DP samples were collected and analyzed using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Data were collected between January and December 2019. Student’s t and Kendall correlation tests were used. Results: Calculus (46.7%), bleeding on toothbrushing (53.3%), and gingival hyperplasia (40.0%) were prevalent in DCHC. The saliva of DCHC presented a higher amount of lipids and collagen and a lower amount of carbohydrates than that of the CG (P < 0.05). DP components were similar in DCHC and CG. Conclusion: DCHC presented oral comorbidities and changes in salivary composition, compared with the CG.