Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Preventive Oral Hygiene Program for Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Nelly Schulz-Weidner, Thushiha Logeswaran, Christian Jux, Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz, Norbert Krämer and Julia Camilla Bulski
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Nelly Schulz-Weidner: Dental Clinic—Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Thushiha Logeswaran: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Heart Centre, Justus Liebig University, Giessen Feulgenstrasse 12, 35394 Giessen, Germany
Christian Jux: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Heart Centre, Justus Liebig University, Giessen Feulgenstrasse 12, 35394 Giessen, Germany
Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz: Dental Clinic—Department of Prosthodontics, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Norbert Krämer: Dental Clinic—Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Julia Camilla Bulski: Dental Clinic—Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-9

Abstract: It is recognized that children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are predisposed to having poorer oral health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary preventive oral hygiene program (POHP) for children with CHD. The aim was the reduction of the incidence of dental caries, as well as improvement of oral hygiene. The total number of participants in this study was 107 children with CHD aged between two to six years. At baseline, these children were compared to a healthy control group (HCG) of 101 children of similar age from five preschools in Giessen, Germany. All examinations were carried out before the introduction of a standardized POHP. The Quigley/Hein Plaque- (QHI), Silness/Loe Gingival- (GI) and Gingival Hyperplasia Index (GHI) were determined. Starting with baseline, the described procedures were repeated in the CHD group during two follow-ups after three and six months. In the first examination, compared to controls, CHD children showed a significantly ( p < 0.05) poorer oral hygiene (QHI: 2.6; GI: 0.3; GHI: 0.2). All oral hygiene parameters (QHI, GI, GHI) of the CHD group improved significantly over the whole period of the preventive program ( p < 0.05). These results demonstrated an improvement in CHD children involved in a standardized POHP. The data with regard to the general health of these risk patients, including prevention of endocarditis, demonstrate the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach between pediatric cardiologists, pediatricians and dentists.

Keywords: oral hygiene program; congenital heart disease; oral health status; pediatric dentistry; interdisciplinary study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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