Caries experience associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

UNLABELLED The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a total caries experience that was equivalent to children without the disorder. METHODS The test sample included children ages 6 to 10 years old diagnosed with ADHD by physicians at Duke University Medical Center. The control group also included healthy children 6 to 10 years old without the diagnosis of ADHD. A visual dental exam for caries was performed and a sample of whole, unstimulated saliva was collected. The parent/guardian of each participant completed a health/medication history and a questionnaire concerning the child's oral health and habits, daily routine, and demographic information. RESULTS Wilcoxon and chi-square tests showed that children with ADHD have significantly more enamel caries in the primary and permanent dentitions and a significantly higher prevalence of total caries experience when compared to controls. There was no significant difference in whole saliva production between the ADHD children and the controls. CONCLUSIONS Dentists should be aware that children with ADHD are at higher risk for caries.

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