EVALUATION OF PERIODONTAL STATUS IN A GROUP OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DOWN SYNDROME

The study aims to evaluate the level of damage of the marginal periodontium in children with Down syndrome (DS). Material and method. For de evaluation, the dental plaque index (QHI), papillary bleeding index (PBI) and clinical attachment loss(CAL) were determined, in a group of 24 subjects aged 6-16 years with DS, the values being compared to those of the control group (n = 30), aged 6-16 years, with no general diseases. Results. The values of the QHI index in the group of children with DS were 4.162vs 3.495 in the control group; the PBI papillary bleeding index recorded mean values of 3.181 in the SD vs 1.562 group in the control group, and the loss of clinical attachment was significantly increased, with the CAL recording 1.922 in the SD group versus 0.591 in the control group. Conclusions. The results emphasize the important periodontal breakdown in children with DS