Assessment of Dental Caries Experience and Periodontal Health Status among Children with Haemophilia in New Delhi, India - A Case Control Study

Purpose: To assess the caries experience and periodontal health status among children with haemophilia in New Delhi. Materials and Methods: This case control study was conducted in New Delhi over a 14-month period. Data were collected from 110 children, of which 55 children had haemophilia and 55 were healthy. Caries was assessed in terms of decayed, missing and filled teeth, according to WHO criteria, while periodontal health status was assessed regarding plaque present, and recorded by utilising the Silness and Löe plaque index. Results: In children with haemophilia, overall caries experience was low in the primary dentition as compared to healthy children, with mean dmft of 2.02 ± 2.4 and mean dmfs of 4.71 ± 7.3, as well as in the permanent dentition with a mean DMFT of 0.47 ± 0.87 and mean DMFS of 0.56 ± 1.167. Thus, caries experience was lower in the permanent than in the primary dentition. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the periodontal health. The overall dental health in children with haemophilia was better than in healthy children, as there was a significant influence of parental toothbrushing habits on children with haemophilia. Conclusion: Caries experience was significantly lower in children with haemophilia as compared to healthy children. The periodontal health status of children with haemophilia was found to be comparable to that of the healthy children. Keywords: dental caries, haemophilia, periodontal health