Relationship between salivary pH and dental caries in patients with Down syndrome

The present study was performed in order to know the relationship between the presence of dental caries and salivary pH in people with Down syndrome. The sample was comprised of included two groups, one group included patients with Down syndrome attending at Private Institute of Special Education, Corrientes (IPEEC) and a control group, (both of them aged between 13 and 26 years, and similar distribution of age and sex). The results obtained in Gingival Index were: 2 in Down syndrome patients and 56% in the O'Leary Index while in the control group 64% had values greater than 1 for Gingival index and 49% for the Plaque index, both results were not compatible with health. Regarding the oral health condition in both groups, the caries index (CPOD) presented values above 4.5 that is considered high rate, according to WHO. The pH ranged from patients with Down syndrome was between 5 and 7, being the normal reference range 6.5. The results of the study are aimed to prevention and health promotion in the education and awareness of this vulnerable group.