Oral Habits in a Selected Population of Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs

Aim To assess the prevalence of oral habits and occlusal characteristics among a selected population of children and adolescents with special health care needs. Methods The study was carried out in a private educational institution for individuals with special health needs in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Information on demographics, the health condition and presence of oral habits were obtained from the teachers/minders. Other information obtained were the occlusal characteristics. Descriptive summary of the information and Chi square test for proportions was carried out and p value was set at 0.05 using SPSS Ver 20. Results Fifty two (92.9 %) children and adolescents participated, 28 (53.8 %) males and 24 (46.2 %) females aged 4 to 18 years with a mean age of 10.8 (+ 4.3) years. Nineteen (36.5 %) subjects had cerebral palsy, others had Downs syndrome 17 (32.7 %), Autism 7 (13.5 %), learning disability 8 (15.4 %) and seizure disorders 1 (1.9 %). The prevalence of oral habits was 23.1 %. Majority [10 (83.3 %)] of those who had habits were males and there was a significant difference between males and females (p=0.02). Tongue thrusting habit was the commonest (33.3 %) oral habit. Twenty six (56.5 %) subjects had Angles class I malocclusion, 12 (23.1 %) subjects had anterior open bites and this was found in 4 (33.3 %) subjects with oral habits and 8 (17.5 %) subjects with no oral habits. Conclusion Tongue thrusting was the commonest oral habit. Increase in dental awareness among parents/ caregivers and encouraging early dental visits to identify, intercept damaging habits that could affect developing occlusion are recommended.