Dental health of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis in Northern Ireland.

ABSTRACT

131 patients suffering from cystic fibrosis were compared with a similar number of matched healthy control subjects. The cystic fibrosis patients had significantly lower levels of gingivitis and plaque and a significantly higher prevalence of calculus. They had significantly less caries in the deciduous dentition than their controls. There was also a lower experience of caries in the permanent dentition although the difference between the two groups was not so marked in this case.