Oral health status of children with epilepsy in Hong Kong

Aim This study assessed and compared the oral health status, dental trauma experience and oral health habits of children with and without epilepsy. Methods Thirty-five children with epilepsy aged 3-18 years old were recruited from the pediatric neurology clinics of 2 university-affiliated district hospitals. A sample of 35 age- and gender-matched healthy children was recruited as controls. Clinical data on caries, gingival health, oral hygiene level and dental trauma were collected and compared between the groups. Information about children's oral health habits and reported dental trauma experience were obtained by structured questionnaire. Results Children with epilepsy had significantly poorer gingival health than healthy controls. No significant differences in dental caries experience, oral hygiene level, dental trauma experience, oral health habits and dental care service utilization were observed between the children with and without epilepsy. Among the children with epilepsy, those taking more than 1 antiepileptic drug had a greater prevalence of dental caries when compared with those receiving mono-antiepileptic drug therapy. The presence of gingival hyperplasia indicated poorer gingival health in epileptic children. Conclusion The study shows that children with epilepsy had poorer oral health status in terms of gingival health than those without epilepsy.