Oral health in children and adolescents with myotonic dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy or dystrophia myotonica (DM) is a hereditary neuromuscular multisystem disease with a varying clinical expressivity and severity. The objective of this study was to assess the oral health in children with myotonic dystrophy and to compare it with a control group. Fifty-six DM patients, aged 2.7 -18.0 yr, were compared with age- and gender-matched control patients with respect to caries, plaque, and gingivitis. Oral function and signs of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) were assessed, and the ability to co-operate in dental treatment was estimated. Questionnaires concerning eating habits, dental care, traumatic injuries to teeth, and orofacial function were also used. The DM patients had significantly more caries, plaque, and gingivitis than did control patients. They had more TMD problems and lower co-operation ability than the healthy control persons. General sedation was frequently needed to carry through dental treatment. DM patients are at risk of caries, gingivitis and TMD problems, and need intensified prophylactic care. Behavior management problems are common.