Gingival Health Status in Children with and without Cleft Lip and Palate: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate were classified as followed by Veau in 1931. The major four groups are clefts of soft
palate, clefts of hard palate, unilateral clefts of the lip, alveolus and palate, bilateral clefts of the lip, alveolus
and palate. Gingival health in children is one of the important factors to be taken into a serious problem as it
may progress to jeopardize the periodontium of the adult. It affects the periodontal disease in the inception
of earlier in life. In dentistry, it is important for a dentist to recognize early and diagnose gingival diseases
to optimize treatment outcome. To determine the gingival health status in children with and without cleft
lip and palate. The purpose of the study was to analyse the gingival status in children with and without cleft
lip and palate (a case control study). A study was carried out by collecting data by reviewing patients data
and analysing the data of 86000 patients between June 2019 and March 2020 at the private dental institute.
The sample size that was taken included 6 children with cleft lip and palate (case group) and 6 children
without cleft lip and palate (control group), who came to the private dental institute for consultation. The
gingival health status was evaluated using OHIS score and was compared between the groups. Data was
statistically analysed using SPSS 2.0, Mann-Whitney U Test was conducted. Result was recorded. The
children with cleft lip and palate showed similar OHI-S scores compared to children without cleft lip and
palate. Therefore, it was concluded that within the limitations in current study, there was no difference in
oral health status between children with cleft lip and palate and children without cleft lip and palate.