The objective of this study is to investigate the risk indicators of dental caries experience of special schoolchildren in Seoul and Gyeonggi. A total of 883 handicapped children aged 12.14 were examined clinically and surveyed on the type and degree of handicap, income, and 4 oral health related characteristics.
The results were as follows;
1. Mental retardation was the most frequent type of handicap of subjects and income is similar to that of general households, More than half of subjects have experienced preventive care or oral health education, and brushed their teeth by themselves. Only a few of handicapped children couldn´t go dental clinic because of movability problem, but many children had manage problem in dental clinic.
2. DMFT index of subjects was lower than that of general schoolchildren by age and sex. But DT rate and MT rate were higher and FT rate was lower.
3. In a multivariated logistic regression analysis, `income´ was only related to DMfT > 0 and ´income´,
`age´ , ´type of handicap´, ´manage problem in dental clinic´ were related to DT > 0.
Conclusively, dental caries experience in this special schoolchildren was lower than in general shoolchildren. But it was difficult for special schoolchildren to undergo dental treatment because of manage problem,. so caries became worse easily. Therefore regular oral examination and refer system were very important for special schools and preventive care also needed.
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