Cleft-affected children in Mayo: 1999-2007.

The aims of this study were to investigate the medical and dental care of children born in Mayo with cleft lip and/or palate in the period 1999-2007. Thirteen subjects were identified--nine males and four females. Galway was the main locus for cleft surgical referral and care, with 10 subjects receiving treatment by the same surgeon. A total of 54% of subjects required ENT care, with 62% receiving speech and language therapy. DMFT and dmft were zero and 0.037, respectively. Mean age at first dental visit (to a private or community dental clinic, specialist paediatric dental practice or Western Health Board orthodontic service) was 21 months. This represents progress in the objective of early access and provision of dental care for this special care dentistry needs group.

Dental experience of cleft affected children in the west of Ireland.

AIM: To investigate caries experience and initial access to dental services in a group of children with cleft lip/palate in the west of Ireland. DESIGN AND METHOD: Cross sectional study with prospective data capture and matched control. Details of children born with a cleft were obtained from all health professionals likely to be involved in delivering care to these children. Existing databases were cross-referenced to eliminate duplication or missed patients. A matched control sample was recruited from 14 schools in the region. RESULTS: A sample of 90 cleft affected children (48 male, 42 female) with any category of cleft born between 1980-1996 (i.e. 16 years) was compared with a control group of 100 non cleft children (60 male, 40 female). The DMF index was determined by a trained and calibrated clinician. Twenty-two percent (n=20) of the cleft group were caries free compared to 41% (n=41) in the control group. The combined dmf/DMF for the cleft group was 2.09 compared to 1.50 for the control (P<0.05). Separate analysis of the dmf and DMF between the two groups indicated that the difference lay in the caries found in the deciduous dentition of the cleft group. The first dental visit was at 4 years of age for the cleft group. CONCLUSIONS: Cleft affected children in the region did not receive adequate and regular dental care at the appropriate time. In view of the significantly greater risk of dental disease in clefting, particularly in the deciduous dentition, all cleft affected children should be referred for comprehensive and continued preventive dental care from the first year of life.

Cleft lip and/or palate in the west of Ireland, 1980-1996.

The aim of this study was to identify and investigate care for children born, over a 17-year period (1980-1996), with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) in the Western Health Board region of Ireland. One hundred and six cleft-affected children were identified. The incidence was 1.14 per thousand (1:871) live births. Epidemiological findings in relation to cleft type, gender, family history, and location followed international trends. The establishment of a national Register with mandatory reporting of children with CL/P in Ireland would ensure greater consistency in data collection and may help improve co-ordination of care.