Aim:

To evaluate the association of malocclusion with oral hygiene status in children with speech, hearing and visual impairments.

Objectives:

1)    To clinically examine the extraoral and intraoral features of children with speech, hearing and visual impairments, for traits of malocclusion.

2)    To assess the distribution of different malocclusion traits in children with speech, hearing and visual impairments.

3)    To assess the oral hygiene status of the children with malocclusion before and after oral prophylaxis and oral health education.

4)    To find the association between malocclusion and oral hygiene status.

Source of data:

1)    Children between the ages of 8-14 years diagnosed with speech, hearing and visual impairments.

2) The school authorities of the special schools will be approached for obtaining consent to conduct dental screening and oral health program at tbeir centers and enrolling the students as participants in this study. 

3)    Informed consent will be obtained from the parents/caregivers of the children prior to the study. Assent shall be obtained from the participating children.

4)    Ethical clearance will be obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee, ABSMIDS, NITTE (Deemed to be University).

METHODS OF COLLECTION OF DATA:

1. Children between the ages of 8-14 years who have been diagnosed with speech, hearing or visual impairments, will be included in the study.

2. The parents/caregivers’ level of interest and awareness towards the oral health problems associated with malocclusion will be assessed through a brief, unstructured, and an informal interview.

3.  A brief dental and medical history of the participating children will be taken by the examiner.

4. The participating children will be visually and clinically examined for the following malocclusion traits after taking informed consent from the parents/caregivers and assent from the children:

Extraoral Assessment:  Head Shape, Face Shape, Facial Profile, Facial Symmetry and Lip Competency.

Intraoral Assessment: Teeth present (FDI numbering system); Interarch measurements such as Anteroposterior molar relationship (Angle’s classification); Vertical relationship (overjet and overbite); Presence of diastema, crowding or rotated teeth; Incidence of Traumatic Dental Injuries; Presence of any oral habits that may affect the occlusion. 

5. The oral hygiene status of the participating children with malocclusion will be assessed with the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (Green and Vermillion, 1964).

6. Oral prophylaxis will be done, oral health education will be given by the examiner, and proper tooth brushing techniques will be taught to the participating children.

7. After 3 months, a follow up will be done and the oral hygiene status of the participating children will be reassessed with the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (Green and Vermillion, 1964).