Ecological Study on the Oral Health of Romanian Intellectually Challenged Athletes

• Published in: Healthcare (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 140
• Main Authors: Vinereanu, Arina, Munteanu, Aneta, Stănculescu, Alexandru, Farcașiu, Alexandru Titus, Didilescu, Andreea Cristiana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 12.01.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Age; Dentists; disability; Disease; Ecological studies; GDP; Gross Domestic Product; intellectual challenge; Intellectual disabilities; oral health; Oral hygiene; Population; Sealing compounds; socio-economic factors; Special Olympics; Teeth; Romania; Special Olympics; oral health; intellectual challenge; disability; socio-economic factors
• ISSN: 2227-9032; 2227-9032
• DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010140

This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually challenged athletes taking part in Special Olympics-Special Smiles (SO-SS) events organized in Romania during 2011-2019 and to find potential associations with socio-economic factors. An observational ecological retrospective study was conducted, and 1860 oral examinations were performed on participants aged 8 to 30 years in nine SS-SO events. Oral examination was performed under field conditions. Percentage of caries-free subjects, mean DMF-T index and its components (D = decayed; M = missing; F = filled; T = teeth), restoration index RI = [F/(F + D) × 100]%, and Plaque Index were calculated for each of the nine groups. Caries-free subjects ranged between 5.90% and 21.70%. DMF-T ranged from 4.27 to 7.71. Higher values for "F" component (range 0.66-1.69) and RI (range 13.02-27.74%) were found in events held in cities from regions with higher reported Gross Domestic Product. Sealants were present in 0 to 8.4% of the subjects. In areas with lower numbers of inhabitants per dentist, more sealants were found ( < 0.001). Romanian SO athletes exhibited relatively poor oral health, limited access to dental treatment, and low level of prevention. Targeted prevention and treatment programs adjusted to specific conditions in each geo-economic region are needed.