Parents’ perceptions of oral health, general health and dental health care for children with Down syndrome in Sweden

Figures & data

Table 1. Medical problems in children with DS reported by their parents (n = 101).

Medical problems	%
Visual	64
Respiratory	7
Asthma	16
Ear, nose and throat	14
Cardiovascular	13
Hearing	33
Endocrine	35
Gastrointestinal	32
Obesity	14
Neurological	1
Immunological	11
Other	12

Sleep apnoea, infantile spasm, impaired kidney function, food allergies and autism were reported as other problems.

Table 2. General and oral health in children with DS as rated by their parents (n = 101).

General health						Total
	Very good	Good	Moderate	Poor	Very poor	n
Oral health
Very poor					1	1
Poor		1	5			6
Moderate	4	2	12	2		20
Good	17	28	7	3		55
Very good	12	6	1			19
Total	33	37	25	6	0	101

Table 3. Toothbrushing habits of children with DS as reported by their parents (n = 101).

Toothbrushing	Age
	0–6 yrs (n = 29)	7–12 yrs (n = 42)	13–18 yrs (n = 30)
Twice a day	23	37	26
Once a day	6	5	4
With daily assistance	26	34	13
Electronic toothbrush	2	10	15
Manual toothbrush	21	24	9
Both electronic and manual toothbrush	6	8	6

Table 4. Reasons for last dental visit, reported by parents of children with DS (n = 101). Other reasons for dental visits included introduction to and training in dental treatment, orthodontic and periodontal treatment. Respondents could give more than one reason.

Reason for dental visit	n	%
Oral examination	79	79
Toothache	2	2
Trauma	9	9
Discoloured teeth	1	1
Dental caries	2	2
Recommendation from health care professionals	1	1
Other reasons	30	30

Figure 1. Number of children with DS who received dental treatment (DT) with sedation by General Anaesthesia (GA), N₂O/O₂ inhalation sedation or oral/rectal Benzodiazepine (n = 101).

Table 5. Parents’ listings of what they want from a good dentist or dental hygienist treating their child with DS (n = 101). Respondents could select more than one option.

The dentist/dental hygienist should…	Dentist		Dental hygienist
	n	%	n	%
… allow the child extra time	70	81	71	76
… involve the child	59	68	56	60
… be patient	55	63	47	50
… be sympathetic	54	62	54	57
… be reassuring	33	38	36	38
… be enthusiastic	20	23	16	17
… be able to explain	15	17	13	14
… be helpful in emergency situations	10	12	6	6
… be specialised in paediatric dentistry	34	39	29	17