Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS 13.0 for Windows, with the level of significance set at 5.0% (p-value < 0.05). Frequencies, means, standard deviations (SD), and percentages were computed for descriptive purposes. We used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test to determine the distribution of DMFT scores. Since non-normal distribution was found, non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon rank sum test and Kruskal-Wallis H test) were used. Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in the distribution of socio-demographic and oral health behavior variables (independent variables) between the case group (DMFT > 0) and the control group (DMFT = 0), and crude odds ratios (OR’s) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. Unordered categorical variable (school districts) is defined as dummy viable with the method of reference cell coding. For the lowest prevalence rate of caries experience in our survey, Liwan was chosen as the reference cell, which is compared with all other districts. Variables that were significantly associated with DMFT scores were selected in the final model. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (Forward LR procedure) was conducted to investigate which independent variables were significant for explaining the dental condition.
Dental care is consistently reported as one of the primary medical needs of children with disabilities (IDC). The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of oral health behaviors on the caries experience in children with intellectual disabilities in Guangzhou, China. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 477 intellectually disabled children, 12 to 17 years old, who were randomly selected from special educational schools in Guangzhou. A self-administered parental questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and oral health behavior variables, and 450 valid questionnaires were returned. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with dental caries. The average age of those in the sample was 14.6 years (SD = 1.3), 68.4% of whom were male, and the caries prevalence rate was 53.5% (DMFT = 1.5 ± 2.0). The factors significantly affecting the development of dental caries in IDC included gender, the presenceor absence of cerebral palsy, and the frequency of dental visits and toothbrushing. In conclusion, the presence of cerebral palsy contributed to an increase risk of caries experience in intellectually disabled children, while toothbrushing more than twice a day and routine dental visits were caries-protective factors. Oral health promotion action may lead to a reduction in dental caries levels in IDC.