Oral health condition and treatment needs among young athletes with intellectual disabilities in Indonesia

Background: Data on the oral situation of young people with intellectual disabilities are scarce, especially data of children from a developing country. Aim: To describe and to evaluate the oral treatment needs of Special Olympics Special Smiles Athletes in Indonesia between 2004 and 2009. Design: A cross-sectional study data were collected through interviews and clinical examinations using the Special Olympics Special Smiles CDC protocol. Participants: Indonesian Special Smiles athletes; their mean age was 13.46 years ± 2.97. Results: More than 70% of athletes had visible untreated decay. Almost 30% (29.8%) of the athletes had gingival inflammation. Pain in the oral cavity was reported by 28.6%. Athletes who had untreated decay reported 6.67 times (95% CI OR; 4.00-11.14) more pain compared to those who did not have untreated decay. Athletes living in provinces on Java Island had 1.54 times (95% CI OR; 1.15-2.07) more untreated decay compared to the athletes who live in provinces in outer Java Island. 21.63% of the screened athletes were referred to the dentist for urgent treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that there is an elevated oral treatment need in Indonesian Special Smiles population.