Prevalence rate of congenital cleft lip and palate is different among countries, approximately 0.87-1.03 per 1000 live births. Several studies conducted in our country showed 1 per 1314 live births in 2005 ( Ariuntuul.G et al.), 1 per 1072 live births in 2012 (Ayanga et al.). According to the published review, children with cleft lip and palate are more prone to dental caries compared to the healthy group. The loss of oral physiological function such as eating, breathing, chewing eventually results loss of oral self-cleansing process in children with cleft lip and palate. Aim:To evaluate the oral status in children with cleft lip and palate. Our cross sectional study included 70 children with a congenital cleft lip and palate, aged 2-16 years, who admitted to the Department of Maxillofacial surgery, National Center of Maternal and Child Health. All participants had an oral examination performed by one dentist in a dental office, used only single-use instruments. Incidence of dental caries was determined by WHO method, bleeding from gum and gingivitis was reported along with the CPI, oral hygiene status was determined by the Green Vermillion index. 59% of participants were girls and 41% were boys. Prevalence rate of dental caries in children with cleft lip and palate was 100% during each occlusion period, but intensity of the dental caries was 10.2±4.8 cs/t (SN) in a primary bite, 9.1±3.9 in a mixed bite and 7.7±2.7 in a permanent bite period, respectively. Incidence of gingivitis was 100% in a primary bite period. Prevalence rate of dental caries was 100% among 2-16 year-old children with congenital cleft lip and palate. Dental caries intensity rate among children with congenital cleft lip and palate was significantly higher (6.5) compared to the WHO’ s dental caries intensity rate. Compared to healthy children, incidence of gingivitis was higher, and oral hygiene status was poorer in children with congenital cleft lip and palate, which could have increased the risk of periodontitis and dental caries among these children.

Prevalence rate of congenital cleft lip and palate is different among countries, approximately 0.87-1.03 per 1000 live births. Several studies conducted in our country showed 1 per 1314 live births in 2005 ( Ariuntuul.G et al.), 1 per 1072 live births in 2012 (Ayanga et al.). According to the published review, children with cleft lip and palate are more prone to dental caries compared to the healthy group. The loss of oral physiological function such as eating, breathing, chewing eventually results loss of oral self-cleansing process in children with cleft lip and palate. Aim:To evaluate the oral status in children with cleft lip and palate. Our cross sectional study included 70 children with a congenital cleft lip and palate, aged 2-16 years, who admitted to the Department of Maxillofacial surgery, National Center of Maternal and Child Health. All participants had an oral examination performed by one dentist in a dental office, used only single-use instruments. Incidence of dental caries was determined by WHO method, bleeding from gum and gingivitis was reported along with the CPI, oral hygiene status was determined by the Green Vermillion index. 59% of participants were girls and 41% were boys. Prevalence rate of dental caries in children with cleft lip and palate was 100% during each occlusion period, but intensity of the dental caries was 10.2±4.8 cs/t (SN) in a primary bite, 9.1±3.9 in a mixed bite and 7.7±2.7 in a permanent bite period, respectively. Incidence of gingivitis was 100% in a primary bite period. Prevalence rate of dental caries was 100% among 2-16 year-old children with congenital cleft lip and palate. Dental caries intensity rate among children with congenital cleft lip and palate was significantly higher (6.5) compared to the WHO’ s dental caries intensity rate. Compared to healthy children, incidence of gingivitis was higher, and oral hygiene status was poorer in children with congenital cleft lip and palate, which could have increased the risk of periodontitis and dental caries among these children.