Oral Health of Children with Congenital Heart Disease at a Pediatric Health Science Centre.

Objective: We undertook this study to determine the oral health status of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring cardiac surgery treated at a pediatric health science centre. Methods: We reviewed the health records of children with CHD who required cardiac surgical intervention and who also had a dental consultation between 2007 and 2011. We recorded demographic data, cardiac diagnoses, comorbidities, number of cardiac surgeries, reason for referral for dental assessment, chief dental complaint and treatment delivery method and calculated measures of caries experience and treatment costs. Results: Of the 156 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 72 patients (46%) received dental extractions and/or restorations in addition to consultation. Their mean age at the time of treatment was 43 +/- 30 months. The mean decayed, extracted and filled primary teeth (deft) was 8.6. Dental treatment was performed under general anesthesia in 83% of cases. Average treatment experience was 2 extractions and 4 restorations per child. Conclusion: Almost half of children with CHD who presented for dental consultation had severe early childhood caries.