Examining Oral Health and Habits in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders in children, and due to its symptoms, patients might be unable to maintain proper oral health.  Objectives: In this study, the correlation between ADHD and oral health was investigated.  Methods: In the current analytic cross-sectional study, ۳۶ children with ADHD aged ۱۲-۱۴ years and ۳۶ healthy children of the same age were clinically examined regarding decay-missed-filled teeth (DMF) index and the gingival bleeding index (GBI). Two bitewing radiography images were acquired from each subject; additionally, the parents completed questionnaires regarding oral habits. To analyze the data, independent t-test, chi-squared test, and the Fisher test were employed, and for calculating the values, the SPSS software, version ۱۶.۰, was used.  Results: The mean DMF index in test and control groups was ۷.۱۹±۳.۷۶ and ۴.۹۷±۲.۳۷, respectively, which was statistically significant (P=۰.۰۰۴). The mean GBI in the test and control groups was ۳۵.۰۵±۳۰.۶۹ and ۳۰.۸۸±۲۱.۰۴, respectively. Regardless of the higher mean GBI in the test group, the difference was not significant (P=۰.۵۰۴). Meanwhile, bruxism was detected in ۱۶.۷% of the children in the test group, which was significant (P=۰.۰۲۵). Conclusion: Children diagnosed with ADHD had a higher DMF index and poor dental hygiene. Bruxism was also more commonly detected in these patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ، Bruxism ، Permanent dentition ، Dental caries ، Oral health