Introduction: β-Thalassemia is genetic disorder which clinically presents as anaemia due to decreased production of beta-chains of haemoglobin molecule. Literature on oro-facial manifestations, oral health status is sparse and inconclusive in the β-thalassemia major patients (TM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was done to assess oro-facial manifestations of β-Thalassemia. 31 TM patients in the age group of 6-18 years were clinically examined and oro-facial manifestations were recorded. Oral health status including oral hygiene status, dental caries, gingival status of these TM children was compared with 42 healthy children. The mean values were compared using Student’s t-test. Treatment needs of both the groups were recorded using WHO oral health assessment form. Results: Lip incompetence (38.75%) and maxillary protrusion (19.35%) were most common oro-facial manifestations of Thalassemia major. Mean OHI-S score for TM and healthy children were comparable 1.73 ± 1.10 and 1.36 ±1.17 respectively (p=.178) but mean GI score for TM was higher than healthy children, 1.42±.39 and .94±.51 respectively (p<.05). Mean DMFT scores for TM and healthy children were 1.5±1.8 and 1.2±2.1 respectively (p=.578). Treatment needs was relatively higher among TM children with 58% of these children requiring one surface filling. Conclusion: Lip incompetence followed by maxillary protrusion were most common oro-facial manifestations of Thalassemia major. There is no significant association between oral hygiene and dental caries with Thalassemia major. However, thalassemia major is associated with gingivitis. Treatment requirement was relatively higher among TM children with one surface filling being the commonest need.

ABSTRACT Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that involves abnormal haemoglobin formation. This cross-sectional study with universal sampling was conducted from May 2018 to January 2019 to evaluate the oral health status of children with thalassaemia. The sample consisted of 54 transfusion-dependent patients between the ages of 3–17 years old, who were registered at the paediatric day-care centre of Hospital Melaka. Oral health status was evaluated which included soft tissue examination, recording of dental caries, malocclusion and oral hygiene status of the children, while their parents answered a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic and oral health practices and attitudes. The mean deft (decayed, exfoliated and filled teeth) among the 3–5 years old was 6.71±6.07. The mean DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) was 3.00±3.94 among the 13–17 years old and 1.12±1.42 among the 6–12 years old. Most of the 3–5 years old children exhibited good oral hygiene (71.4%). Dentofacial findings among the 3–5 years old were increased overjet (35.7%) and open bite (28.6%) predominantly. Fractured teeth (69.2%), increased overjet (46.2%) and discolouration (23.1%) were the common dentofacial findings among the 6–12 years old while increased overjet (71.4%), soft tissue lesions (57.1%) and posterior crossbite (28.6%) were seen among the 13–17 years old. In this cohort of children with thalassaemia, the prevalence of dental caries was high in preschool children and older children.
Oral Health ; Child Health ; Thalassemia