Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To describe and evaluate the oral condition and oral treatment needs of the participants of the Special Olympics Special Smiles program organised in Belgium in 2008.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional study where the data were collected through interviews and clinical examinations.
PARTICIPANTS
687 Belgian Special Smiles athletes participated, mean age 33 years.
RESULTS
More than 70% had at least one missing tooth. Distinct signs of gingivitis and visible caries experience were observed in 44% and 22% of dentate athletes respectively. Dutch-speaking athletes were less likely to present with untreated caries (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.31-0.68) or with gingivitis (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.37-0.71) compared to their French-speaking colleagues. Signs of past injury were identified in 12% of athletes. Of those athletes with an edentulous mandible, only 53% presented with a removable denture; 73% of athletes missing some maxillary anterior teeth and 30% of those missing all anterior teeth had no prosthetic replacement in the maxilla. Nearly two fifths of athletes were referred for treatment: in 12% of athletes dental treatment was considered urgent.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that there is a tremendous unmet need for dental treatment in the Belgian Special Smiles population, with French-speaking athletes in greatest need. Improvements in data collection should be encouraged for example. more detailed screening methods (e.g. caries screening including enamel lesions, full periodontal examination) and questionnaires (e.g. inclusion of questions related to dietary habits, dental attendance). In this way barriers to optimal oral health (care) in this population could be further explored, attempts made to reduce them and so reduce health inequalities.

Authors

Leroy R, Declerck D, Marks L

Institution

Centre of Special Care in Dentistry, Dental School, Ghent University, Belgium. roos.leroy@ugent.be

Source

Community dental health 29:1 2012 Mar pg 68-73

MeSH

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Belgium
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dental Caries
Dental Restoration, Permanent
Denture, Complete, Lower
Disabled Persons
Female
Fluorosis, Dental
Gingivitis
Humans
Jaw, Edentulous
Jaw, Edentulous, Partially
Male
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Mouth Diseases
Needs Assessment
Sports
Tooth Diseases
Tooth Injuries
Tooth Loss
Toothbrushing
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22482253