SĂNĂTATEA ORALĂ LA UN LOT DE SPORTIVI SPECIAL OLYMPICS DIN ROMÂNIA.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate oral health status of 102 Romanian mentally disabled athletes (average age 17.94 years). Material and methods. Data was collected by oral screening and interview in a Special Smiles project. Dental and periodontal status were recorded, as well as presence of sealants, athletes’ homely oral hygiene routine (who performes the brushing, type of toothbrush, use of dental floss and fluoride gel/rinse). Athletes stated whether they had regular dental check-ups. DMF-T and restoration index RI=[(F/F+D)x100] were calculated. Plaque was scored by Lőe and Silness index (PI). Results. 77.5% of the athletes had untreated caries, 14.7% were caries free and 7.8% had all their dental lesions treated. DMF-T=6.49 [SD 6.0], D=4.48, M=0.32, F=1.12; RI=16.8%. 19.6% of the subjects had at least one extracted molar. 55.7 had calculus, 78.4 had gingivitis, PI=1.43 [SD 0.72]. 37.1% of the athletes stated that they had regular dental check-ups. 5.2% of the subjects had sealants. 83.5% brushed their own teeth, 4.1% needed help with brushing and 11.3% were brushed by caregivers. Regular brush was exclusively used by 92.8% while 4.1% only used electric brush. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]