Abstract
Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) may experience limitations in motor function that can affect their ability to perform daily oral hygiene activities. Hand function is an important component of toothbrush manipulation and may influence oral hygiene performance. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between hand function and oral hygiene performance among children with Down syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among children with DS. Hand function was assessed using hand grip strength measured with an electronic hand dynamometer, while oral hygiene performance was assessed using the Personal Hygiene Performance Modified (PHP-M) index. Participant characteristics included age, sex, functional ability, and tooth alignment. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between hand grip strength and PHP-M scores. Results: Twenty-three children with DS were included in the descriptive analysis, while 15 participants with complete hand grip strength and PHP-M data were included in the correlation analysis. The mean age of participants was 14.17 ± 3.21 years, and the mean PHP-M score was 35.43 ± 11.18. Hand grip strength showed a significant negative correlation with PHP-M scores (Pearson's r = −0.790, p < 0.001). Spearman's correlation analysis also demonstrated a significant negative association (ρ = −0.591, p = 0.020). These findings indicate that greater hand grip strength was associated with lower PHP-M scores, reflecting better oral hygiene performance. Conclusion: Hand function, as assessed by hand grip strength, was significantly associated with oral hygiene performance among children with Down syndrome. The findings suggest that differences in hand function may be relevant to the ability of children with DS to maintain oral hygiene. Assessment of hand function may provide additional information when planning individualized oral hygiene support for children with Down syndrome.