Comparison of Oral Health Status and Plaque Index in Medicated and Non-Medicated Children with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder and Healthy Children

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a persistent form of attention deficiency, hyperactivity and impulsivity, which is one of the most frequent mental health problems, affecting 12‒15 of children all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of dental caries in children with symptoms of ADHD and to compare it with healthy children in order to emphasize the importance of prevention in preserving children's oral health.
In this case-control cross-sectional study, 33 children diagnosed with ADHD and medicated, 32 children diagnosed with ADHD but non-medicated and 37 healthy children, 7‒12 years of age, were investigated using DMF/dmft and PI parameters. The subjects were matched in terms of age and gender. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18 at a significance level of p value Children with ADHD are not able to carry out regular activities properly such as brushing their teeth due to attention deficiency and impulsivity. Therefore, the deciduous teeth of such children are more prone to dental caries compared to healthy children. In the age range evaluated in the present study, there were no differences in DMFT between the case and control groups. Moreover, dental plaque (PI) was the same in the healthy and hyperactive children.