Comparison of the frequency of dental caries in asthmatics children under treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and healthy children in Sabzevar in 2017-2018

Background and Objective: Regarding the prevalence of premature dental caries in childhood and the role of asthma as a risk factor for increased vulnerability to dental caries, the present study aimed to determine and compare the frequency of dental caries between asthmatic children under treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and healthy children. Methodology: In this case-control study, 70 children with asthma who were taking corticosteroid sprays for at least one year and 70 healthy children aged 3-12 visiting the clinic or office of pediatricians in 2017-2018 were selected as the sample based on convenient sampling method. Clinical examination for the diagnosis of dental caries was conducted using the decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index. The obtained data were statistically analyzed in SPSS-18. Results: The mean score of DMF index, in each of the subscales of decayed teeth (D/d), missing teeth (M/m), and filled teeth (F/f), was higher in asthmatic children compared to healthy children (p <0.05). Conclusion: The study findings suggest that it is necessary to pay a special attention to prevention programs including increasing the awareness of parents and training in strategies for the reduction of complications of drugs and providing organized dental care and services, especially for asthmatic children who are at greater risk of dental caries.