Oral Hygiene Practice and Periodontal Status of Students at Special Needs Boarding Schools in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Harun, Nor Asilah, Yaacob, Munirah, Mohd Kenali, Norzaiti, Mohd Ibrahim, Mohamad Shafiq, Mohd Sopie, Sarah Syuhadah, Kamaluddin, Farah Aqilah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: RK318 Oral and Dental Medicine. Pathology. Diseases-Therapeutics-General Works
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/92273/1/005-002.poster%20piccwed%202021.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/92273/2/PiCCWED13%20-%20Conference%20Program%20%26%20Presentation%20Schedule%2030082021.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/92273/3/certificate.Dr.%20Nor%20Asilah.jpg; http://irep.iium.edu.my/92273/

People with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable minority groups to health care or rehabilitation services deficiencies. Previous studies have demonstrated that they suffered from poor oral hygiene and a higher incidence of periodontal disease as a consequence. Students at special needs boarding schools stay at the school hostel, and wardens are taken care of them. Therefore, this study aims to assess the oral hygiene practices and periodontal status among visually impaired, hearing and intellectually disabled students at special needs boarding schools in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Demographic information and oral hygiene practice were recorded for each participant aged between 7 to 20 years old. Periodontal status was assessed during an oral examination using the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) score as a basic screening method. The periodontal disease prevalence was 97.7%, with most of them having bleeding gingiva and calculus (69.2%). 58.6% of students with a learning disability had bleeding gum and calculus, but there was no significant association between periodontal health status with types of disabilities noted. Furthermore, oral hygiene practice associated with periodontal health status showed no significant difference. In this study, students with disabilities showed poor oral hygiene and a higher incidence of periodontal disease which might be due to the lack of ability for self-care. Therefore, comprehensive oral health care special programs at the schools could be beneficial to overcome the problems.