Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess if children with clefts have an increased caries experience.
Methods: Caries data was collected via clinical examination of 115 4- to 21-year-olds with clefts and 230 controls. Cleft type was confirmed through their medical records and fluoride exposure history; oral hygiene habits and dietary history were obtained though a questionnaire.
Results: The adherence to the preventive oral health habits (tooth-brushing, use of fluoride, and dietary factors) were not different among groups excluding the use of dental floss. The mean DMFT was 1.20 (±1.8 SD) for the cleft group and 0.90 (±1.8) for the control group. There was no significant difference in the DMFT scores between children with clefts and the control group (P=.16). The mean dmft was 1.68 (±2.1) for the cleft group and 2.61 (±2.9) for the control group. The prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth was significantly lower in the cleft-affected children vs the control group (P=.02). The percentage of caries-free individuals was similar in cleft and control groups (P=.90), and was also similar in different cleft types (P=.67).
Conclusion: Caries experience in children born with clefts is not higher in comparison to control children.