Assessment of Oral Health Status and Communication Barriers in Hearing- and Speech-Impaired Children in Jeddah City

Background: Hearing- and speech-impaired people form a significant part of society. Literature reveals that these people have compromised oral health conditions as compared to people with decreased levels of oral health alertness and communication barriers. The aim of the study was to assess the oral health status in hearing- and speech-impaired children in Jeddah city. Methodology: One hundred sixteen children aged five to 16 years of either gender with hearing and speech impairment were selected. Parameters recorded were dental caries, gingival diseases, and malocclusion. The fluorosis status was also recorded. Results: The total number of children in the age group five to seven years was 16, eight to 10 years was 25, 11 to 13 years was 30 and 14 to 16 years was 45. Of the 116 children, there were 60 males and 56 females. Among the 116 children, 25 had decayed, 12 had missing and 30 had filled teeth. Malocclusion was found to be class II div I in 20, class II div II in 11, class III in five, spacing in 17, and rotation in 10. It was found that 32 had mild fluorosis and 74 had gingivitis. Method of communication was sign language in 62%, lip-reading in 20% and hearing aids in 18% of the population. Conclusion: Special care needs to be taken in children with hearing and speech disabilities together with poor oral hygiene status. A careful oral examination is needed in these children.