Levels of oral disease in a sample of children with disability; a study carried out immediately before comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia

Aim To audit the levels of oral disease in those children whose disability required general anaesthesia for comprehensive dental treatment.Methods An audit was conducted of oral disease levels in a sample of 51 children attending for treatment.Results The proportion of untreated decayed teeth was 72%, previously extracted 25% and restored 3%. Very high levels of debris and gingival bleeding indices were found. There were very low proportions of previous restorations and past treatment had comprised mainly extractions.Conclusions There was a low restorative care index in both the primary and permanent dentitions indicating that high needs continue to exist in terms of comprehensive dental care for these Irish children.