Oral health assessment in children with allergic rhinitis

Introduction. - Allergic rhinitis is a benign medical condition very commonly seen in children. It causes oral manifestations due to children breathing through their mouths and to the medication required to treat it. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral health of children with allergic rhinitis in Casablanca to attract the attention of allergists and dentists to their role with regard to this disease. Materials and methods. - This was a cross-sectional epidemiological survey with a comparative focus on 52 allergic children aged 3.5 to 12.5 years followed in a private clinic in Casablanca and 52 control children aged 3.5 to 12 years from a private school in the same city. Data concerning patient history, allergy parameters, oral status including hygiene, and the condition of the teeth and gums were assessed. Results and discussion. - The DMF score was 2.17 for the study group vs. 0.37 for the control group. The plaque index was 1.9 vs. 1.24 for controls. The mean gingival index was 1.42 for the study group vs. 0.6 for the controls. In 73 % of sick children, salivary secretion was reduced and 83 % of children in this group were breathing through their mouths. All results were significant compared to the controls. Thus, allergic children appear to present more oral disorders than healthy children, indicating a need for prevention and oral health care. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.