Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Parental Perception in A Group of Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oral disease and conditions can undermine self-image and self-esteem , dis-courage normal social interaction, and cause other health problems and lead to chronic stress and depression , They may also interfere with vital-functions such as breathing , food selection eating, swallowing and speaking, and with activities of daily living such as work, school, and family interactions .

Oral Health Related Quality of Life captures the aim of new prospective and defined as a multidimensional construct that reflects people's comfort when eating, sleeping and engaging in social inter-action, their self-esteem and their satisfaction with respect to their oral health .

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common neuro-developmental disorder of known genetic origin, arising from an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Children and adolescents with down syndrome present particular characteristics that may have a negative impact on their oral health and function. Protruding large tongue and facial muscle hypotonicity impairing speaking and chewing abilities. Bruxism, respiratory problems and mouth breathing are common among them.

Periodontal disease is the most significant oral health problem in people with Down syndrome due immunological deficiency, poor masticatory function and poor oral hygiene .