The dental health of children with congenital cardiac disease.

One hundred and thirty four children with congenital cardiac disease aged between four years and 12 years underwent a dental examination in order to establish their level of dental health. The results showed a mean DEFT (decayed, extracted and filled teeth) score of 3.34 for four to six year old children, a mean DEFT of 3.26 for seven to nine year olds and a mean DMFT (decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth) of 5.03 for 10 to 12 year olds. The majority of the dental disease was found in children from poorer areas of Glasgow. As a result of this study, a dental health education programme for all parents and children attending the cardiac outpatient clinics has been established.