Attitudes and preventive dental health behaviour in children with congenital cardiac disease.

A study of 114 children with congenital cardiac disease (C.C.D.) and healthy control children was carried out at the Royal Children's Hospital--Melbourne and at the Department of Conservative Dentistry--Melbourne. The C.C.D. group was divied into Cyanotic and Acyanotic subgroups to assess the influence of the severity of chronic illness on the issues under study. Questionnaires were designed to assess knowledge, attitude and behaviour relating to dental health for eight to ten year old children and their mothers. Detailed clinical examinations were carried out. Findings are summarized in this article.