OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the caries experience of disabled @entity1 and young adults in Kuwait, to set baseline data, and to determine their treatment need. METHOD: @entity1547 was scored by surface in accordance with WHO criteria. The study population comprised 832 disabled @entity1 and young adults (3-29 years; mean age 12.1 years) who were @entity227 , @entity393 , had physical handicaps or @entity245 , attending special needs schools. RESULTS: The proportion of caries free subjects in the primary dentition (3-12-year-old @entity1 ) was 11.2%. The mean dmft was 5.4, and dmfs 15.2, being highest in the @entity1467 and lowest in the blind. The proportion of caries-free subjects in permanent dentition, over 5 years of age was 24.2%. The smallest percentage of caries-free subjects was found in the @entity393 (16.4%) and highest percentage in the blind (35.5%). The mean DMFT was 4.5 and the DMFS 8.7, being highest in the @entity1467 and lowest in the blind. Prevalence of untreated decay was highest in @entity393 (86%). The caries experience of first permanent molars represented the largest proportion of the DMFT score (53.6%). In the permanent dentition increasing age, impaired hearing, and poor oral hygiene were significantly associated with caries risk. CONCLUSIONS: Caries experience among this disabled population was clearly higher than among the respective age groups in a previous national population survey. The study confirmed the need for strengthening organised preventive and restorative care for this population in Kuwait.

XXXX experience of disabled @entity1 and young adults in Kuwait.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children'] @entity227 :: ('MESH:D014786', 'Disease') :: ['visually impaired'] @entity245 :: ('MESH:D002658', 'Disease') :: ['developmental disorders'] @entity1547 :: ('MESH:D003731', 'Disease') :: ['Dental caries'] @entity1467 :: ('MESH:D004314', 'Disease') :: ["Down's syndrome"] @entity393 :: ('MESH:D034381', 'Disease') :: ['hearing impaired']
@entity1547 :: (MESH:D003731,Disease) :: ['Dental caries']
