Abstract:
Background: Oral health is key to the overall health status and quality of life. Dental caries
and periodontal conditions are the most common oral health issues globally. Individuals with
special needs, especially children, require extra care in daily activities as compared to
individuals in the general population. These children will have to learn good oral health habits
in order to pass it on to their colleagues and to their children. The aim of this study was to
determine the oral health status and treatment needs of the hearing impaired students.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional quantitative purposive study of hearing impaired
students at a state school for the deaf at Adjei Kojo in Ashaiman. The study participants were
selected based on the set exclusion and inclusion criteria. A total of 181 students participated in
the study. Data collection included administration of questionnaires which were translated into
sign language and videotaped. The video clips were then played to the students to assist them
in filling out the questionnaire. Clinical assessments and recording were done for debris
deposits, calculus, pocket depth and bleeding on probing. Teeth were also assessed for
decayed, filled and missing. Data was entered and analyzed using Stata V14. Descriptive and
inferential analysis were done which included chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact and binary and
ordered logistic regression analysis.
Results: There was unsatisfactory (90.61%) oral hygiene status of the students with 77.25%
with unmet treatment need for the hearing impaired students. The dental caries prevalence rate
was 24% with mean DMFT/dmft score of 0.45 (SD: 0.885) and 0.11(0.105) respectively. A
significant association was identified between oral health knowledge and practices with oral
health status.
Conclusion: This was a descriptive study to give baseline data for this special group of
students. The study also aimed at filling the literature gap and to determine the influence of
oral health knowledge and practices on oral health status in the students with hearing
impairment. More effort is thus needed in oral health education to re-iterate the importance of
oral health.
